Information-processing apparatus, and storage medium storing launch program executed by information-processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An information-processing apparatus stores in advance a photographing application program. Further, the information-processing apparatus comprises photographing processing means which has a function different from that of the photographing application program. In a launch acceptance state, the information-processing apparatus accepts a first launch operation for selectively launching a plurality of application programs, and a photographing enabling operation for setting a state of the information-processing apparatus to a photographing enabled state. The photographing enabling operation is different from the first launch operation, and is the same as a photographing operation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-171276, filed onJun. 30, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information-processing apparatus anda launch program executed by the information-processing apparatus, andmore particularly, to an information-processing apparatus which iscapable of selectively executing a plurality of application programs anda launch program executed by the information-processing apparatus.

2. Description of the Background Art

Conventionally, there is an information-processing apparatus which iscapable of executing various application programs such as a gameapplication, and the like and which is capable of functioning as animaging apparatus by mounting a camera thereto (refer to Non-PatentDocument 1 (“Chotto Shot Camera Instruction Manual” published by SonyComputer Entertainment Inc. on Nov. 2, 2006)). An information-processingapparatus described in the Non-Patent Document 1 is capable of executingan application program stored in a detachable storage medium. Bymounting thereto a storage medium storing an application program(referred to as a first application program) described in the Non-PatentDocument 1, it is possible to perform photographing using a cameramounted to the information-processing apparatus, and to view and edit aphotographed image. In addition, it is possible for theinformation-processing apparatus to perform photographing by executing asecond application program for executing photographing program which isstored in a detachable storage medium (memory card) which is differentfrom the storage medium (optical disc) storing the first program. Thus,in the information-processing apparatus, it is possible to performphotographing by the two different application programs forphotographing.

The present invention is for solving at least either the followingproblem 1 or 2.

(1) Problem 1

In the information-processing apparatus described in the Non-PatentDocument 1, the first and second application programs each are launchedby performing an operation in a menu screen a plurality of times. Then,a photographing operation for performing photographing is performed byan operation which is different from an operation for launch. Thus, forperforming photographing from an initial state of the menu screen, afterperforming an operation for launching the first or second applicationprogram by selecting an icon image displayed on the menu screen aplurality of times, a user has to perform another photographingoperation. Therefore, the user cannot perform photographing directlyfrom the initial state of the menu screen, and cannot easily use aphotographing function which the information-processing apparatus has(cannot easily launch an application program for photographing toperform photographing).

(2) Problem 2

In the information-processing apparatus described in the Non-PatentDocument 1, the first and second application programs each are notterminated unless the user performs a predetermined terminationoperation. Thus, there is a fear that a user who does not fullyunderstand a manner of operation, such as a user who uses theinformation-processing apparatus for the first time, and the like, willnot know how to terminate an application and will not be able toterminate a photographing function. Especially, in the case of settingin which another application program cannot be launched during executionof the first or second application program, even though theinformation-processing apparatus has various functions in addition tothe photographing function, since the photographing function cannot beterminated, an opportunity of launching another application program isdeprived.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide auser-friendly information-processing apparatus which is capable of usinga photographing function by a simple operation.

The present invention has the following features to attain the objectmentioned above. It is noted that reference characters and supplementaryexplanations in parentheses in this section are merely provided tofacilitate the understanding of the present invention in relation to thelater-described embodiment, rather than limiting the scope of thepresent invention in any way.

A first aspect is a launch program (61) executed by a computer (a CPU31) of an information-processing apparatus (10), which comprises imagingmeans (cameras 23 and 24), which is capable of storing a plurality ofapplication programs (53-56), and which stores in advance apredetermined photographing application program (53) for performingphotographing by the imaging means as one of the plurality ofapplication programs. The launch program is a program for selectivelylaunching an application program desired by a user among the pluralityof application programs. The launch program causes the computer tofunction as: first launch operation acceptance means (the CPU 31executing steps S6 and S11; hereinafter, steps are indicated by stepnumbers); first launch means (S12); photographing processing means(S10); photographing enabling operation acceptance means (S6, S9); andstate setting means (S10 is executed in the case of Yes at S9). Thefirst launch operation acceptance means is means for accepting a firstlaunch operation for selectively launching the plurality of applicationprograms. The first launch means is means for, when the first launchoperation is performed, launching an application program selected by thefirst launch operation among the plurality of application programs. Thephotographing processing means is means for, in a predeterminedphotographing enabled state, executing photographing processing ofstoring a taken image by the imaging means in storage means of theinformation-processing apparatus in accordance with a predeterminedphotographing operation photographing enabling operation acceptancemeans is means for, in a launch acceptance state of accepting the firstlaunch operation, accepting an photographing enabling operation which isthe same as the photographing operation. The state setting means ismeans for, when the photographing enabling operation is detected,setting a state of the information-processing apparatus to thephotographing enabled state.

According to the above aspect, since the photographing enablingoperation and the photographing operation are the same as each other, aseries of operations for shifting the state of theinformation-processing apparatus to the photographing enabled state andfurther performing photographing can be performed by one type of anoperation, and thus the series of operations can be easily performed.Thus, the photographing function can be used by a simple operation, anda user-friendly information-processing apparatus can be provided.

Further, the launch program may further cause the computer to functionas cancellation means (S25) for, in the photographing enabled state,automatically canceling the photographing enabled state in accordancewith satisfaction of a predetermined condition.

According to the above, the photographing enabled state is automaticallycanceled without performing a dedicated operation for canceling thephotographing enabled state. Thus, it is prevented that a user who doesnot fully understand a manner of operation does not know how toterminate the photographing function by the photographing processingmeans and cannot terminate the photographing function, and auser-friendly information-processing apparatus can be provided.

A second aspect is a launch program (61) executed by a computer (a CPU31) of an information-processing apparatus (10), which comprises imagingmeans (cameras 23 and 24), which is capable of storing a plurality ofapplication programs (53-56), and which stores in advance apredetermined photographing application program (53) for performingphotographing by the imaging means as one of the plurality ofapplication programs. The launch program is a program for selectivelylaunching an application program desired by a user among the pluralityof application programs. The launch program causes the computer tofunction as: first launch operation acceptance means (steps S6 and S11);first launch means (S12); photographing processing means (S10);photographing enabling operation acceptance means (S6, S9); statesetting means (S10 is executed in the case of Yes at S9); andcancellation means (simplified photographing processing is terminated inthe case of Yes at S25). The first launch operation acceptance means ismeans for accepting a first launch operation for selectively launchingthe plurality of application programs. The first launch means is meansfor, when the first launch operation is performed, launching anapplication program selected by the first launch operation among theplurality of application programs. The photographing processing means ismeans for, in a predetermined photographing enabled state, executingphotographing processing of storing a taken image by the imaging meansin storage means of the information-processing apparatus in accordancewith a predetermined photographing operation. The photographing enablingoperation acceptance means is means for, in a launch acceptance state ofaccepting the first launch operation, accepting a predeterminedphotographing enabling operation. The state setting means is means for,when the photographing enabling operation is performed, setting a stateof the information-processing apparatus to the photographing enabledstate.

According to the above, the photographing enabled state is automaticallycanceled without performing a dedicated operation for canceling thephotographing enabled state. Thus, it is prevented that a user who doesnot fully understand a manner of operation cannot terminate thephotographing function by the photographing processing means due to afact that the user does not know how to terminate the photographingfunction, and a user-friendly information-processing apparatus can beprovided. The above aspect is effective especially in the case whereanother application program cannot be executed during execution of afirst or second application program as in a later-described embodiment.

Further, in the above first or second aspect, the cancellation means mayautomatically cancel the photographing enabled state in accordance withexecution of the photographing processing a predetermined number oftimes (e.g. one time) in the photographing enabled state.

According to the above, when the photographing operation is performed apredetermined number of times (e.g. one time) in the photographingenabled state, the photographing enabled state is terminated (after thephotographing processing is performed). In other words, when the userperforms the photographing operation a predetermined number of times inthe photographing enabled state, the state of the information-processingapparatus returns to the launch acceptance state. Thus, even a noviceuser who has not read an instruction manual, and the like can naturallyreturn to the launch acceptance state by performing the photographingoperation. Therefore, a state that “the user does not know how to returnfrom the photographing enabled state to the launch acceptance state” canbe prevented, and a user-friendly information-processing apparatus canbe provided.

Further, the photographing operation and the photographing enablingoperation each may be a single operation with respect to a predeterminedbutton, which is different from the first launch operation.

According to the above, setting of the photographing enabled state andphotographing each are performed by a single operation with respect to apredetermined button, and thus can be performed by an exceedingly simpleoperation.

A third aspect is a launch program (61) executed by a computer (a CPU31) of an information-processing apparatus (10), which comprises imagingmeans (cameras 23 and 24), which is capable of storing a plurality ofapplication programs (53-56), and which stores in advance apredetermined photographing application program (53) for performingphotographing by the imaging means as one of the plurality ofapplication programs. The launch program is a program for selectivelylaunching an application program desired by a user among the pluralityof application programs. The launch program causes the computer tofunction as: first launch operation acceptance means (steps S6 and S11);first launch means (S12); photographing processing means (S10);photographing enabling operation acceptance means (S6, S9); andphotographing operation acceptance means (S24, S25). The first launchoperation acceptance means is means for accepting a first launchoperation for selectively launching the plurality of applicationprograms. The first launch means is means for, when the first launchoperation is performed, launching an application program selected by thefirst launch operation among the plurality of application programs. Thephotographing processing means is means for executing photographingprocessing of storing a taken image by the imaging means in storagemeans of the information-processing apparatus in accordance with apredetermined photographing operation. The photographing enablingoperation acceptance means is means for, in a launch acceptance state ofaccepting the first launch operation, accepting a photographing enablingoperation, which is different from the first launch operation and is asingle operation with respect to a predetermined button (an operation ofpressing an L button 14I or an R button 14J), for causing aphotographing enabled state in which the photographing processing isexecutable by the photographing processing means in accordance with thephotographing operation. The photographing operation acceptance means ismeans for, when the photographing enabling operation is performed,setting a state of the information-processing apparatus to thephotographing enabled state, and accepting the photographing operation.

According to the above aspect, the information-processing apparatus iscapable of executing two types of photographing functions, namely, aphotographing function by executing the photographing applicationprogram and a photographing function by the photographing processingmeans which is realized by the launch program. Here, the photographingfunction by the photographing processing means is executed from thelaunch acceptance state by a single operation with respect to apredetermined button, and thus can be executed by an exceedingly simpleoperation. Therefore, the user can quickly cause theinformation-processing apparatus to be in a state in which photographingis possible (by a single operation) when the user desires to performphotographing using the information-processing apparatus, and thus thephotographing function can be used by a simple operation.

Further, in the above first to third aspects, the predetermined buttonmay be a button provided in the information-processing apparatus or abutton displayed on a touch panel of the information-processingapparatus.

According to the above, the user can easily perform the photographingenabling operation by a button provided in the information-processingapparatus or a button on the touch panel.

Further, the photographing processing means may have only a part of aphotographing function which is executable by executing thephotographing application program.

According to the above, the photographing function of the photographingprocessing means which is a relatively simple function can be quicklyactivated from the launch acceptance state. If the simple photographingfunction is launched only by a launch operation which is troublesome(more troublesome than a multifunctional photographing function), theuser will not use the simple photographing function. However, accordingto the above aspect, since the simple photographing function can belaunched by a simple operation, the user can be prompted to use even thesimple photographing function. Thus, according to the above aspect, bysetting launch operations having easiness according to use purpose withrespect to two types of different photographing functions, respectively,the two types of photographing functions can be efficiently used.

Further, the launch program may include a launch function program (51)for launching the application program, and a photographing functionprogram (52) for causing the computer to function as the photographingprocessing means. In this case, the photographing function program has adata size which is smaller than that of the photographing applicationprogram.

According to the above, by setting a program capable of being launchedin the launch acceptance state to the photographing function programwhich has a smaller data size, a program for photographing can bequickly launched in the launch acceptance state.

It is noted that the present invention may be provided as aninformation-processing apparatus comprising each means described above.

As described above, according to the present invention, by making thephotographing enabling operation the same as the photographingoperation, a series of operations for shifting the state of theinformation-processing apparatus to the photographing enabled state andfurther performing photographing can be easily performed (the firstaspect). Further, by the cancellation means, the photographing enabledstate can be automatically canceled (the second aspect). Further, bymaking the photographing enabling operation a single operation withrespect to a predetermined button, the photographing function by thephotographing processing means can be executed by an exceedingly simpleoperation (the third aspect).

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing an external view of an information-processingapparatus;

FIG. 2 is a view showing an external view of the information-processingapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of theinformation-processing apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a method of launching each applicationprogram in the information-processing apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a view showing main data stored in a main memory 32 of theinformation-processing apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a main flow chart showing a procedure of processing in theinformation-processing apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a menu screen in a presentembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a procedure of simplified photographingprocessing (a step S10) shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of images displayed in aphotographing enabled state;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a procedure of multifunctionalphotographing processing in the present embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure of photograph display modeprocessing (a step S34) shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of images displayed in a photographdisplay mode in the present embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a procedure of photographing modeprocessing (a step S36) shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of an image displayed in aphotographing mode in the present embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a procedure of photographing leadingprocessing (a step S2) shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart shown a detail of opening-closing timeprocessing in the present embodiment; and

FIG. 17 is a view showing a method of changing a display image at a stepS73 shown in FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[Configuration of Information-Processing Apparatus]

The following will describe an information-processing apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 areviews each showing an external view of an information-processingapparatus 10. FIG. 1 is an external view of the information-processingapparatus 10 as viewed from a side, and FIG. 2 is an external view ofthe information-processing apparatus 10 as viewed from the oppositeside. The hand-held information-processing apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1and 2 takes an image with imaging means (a camera), displays the takenimage on a screen, and stores data of the taken image. Further, theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is capable of executing variousapplication programs such as a game, and the like in addition to anapplication program for executing photographing processing. Withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the following will describe an externalconfiguration of the information-processing apparatus 10.

The information-processing apparatus 10 is a foldable apparatus, andincludes two housings, namely, a lower housing 11 and an upper housing21 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The lower housing 11 and the upper housing21 are connected to each other so as to be capable of being opened orclosed (foldable). In other words, axial portions 11A are provided atboth ends of an upper side (a side on an x-axis positive side in thedrawing) of the lower housing 11 in a left-right direction (in a ydirection in the drawing), respectively, as shown in FIG. 1 (the axialportions 11A are structurally integral with the lower housing 11).Further, an axial portion 21A is provided in a center portion of a lowerside (a side on an x-axis negative side in the drawing) of the upperhousing 21 in the left-right direction (in the y direction in thedrawing) as shown in FIG. 1 (the axial portion 21A is structurallyintegral with the upper housing 21). The axial portions 11A and theaxial portion 21A are connected to each other by a hinge providedtherein so as to be pivotable about an axis in the left-right direction.Thus, the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 21 are connected toeach other so as to be pivotable about an axis in the left-rightdirection. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the information-processing apparatus 10 inan opened state. In an alternative embodiment, theinformation-processing apparatus 10 may not be of a foldable type, andmay include one housing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information-processing apparatus 10 includes twodisplay devices, namely, an upper LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 22 and alower LCD 12. The upper LCD 22 is mounted in an inner surface of theupper housing 21 (which is a surface located on the inside of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 in a closed state), and the lowerLCD 12 is mounted in an inner surface of the lower housing 11. Althoughan LCD is used as a display device in the present embodiment, any otherdisplay devices such as a display device using an EL (ElectroLuminescence) may be used. In addition, the information-processingapparatus 10 can use a display device of any resolution. Although a casewhere the information-processing apparatus 10 includes the two displaydevices is described as an example in the present embodiment, in analternative embodiment, the information-processing apparatus may includeany number of display devices.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information-processing apparatus 10includes two cameras 23 and 24 as the imaging means. Each of the cameras23 and 24 is accommodated in the upper housing 21. As shown in FIG. 1,the inner camera 23 is mounted in the inner surface of the upper housing21. In the present embodiment, the inner camera 23 is mounted in theaxial portion 21A of the upper housing 21. On the other hand, as shownin FIG. 2, the outer camera 24 is mounted in a surface opposite to thesurface in which the inner camera 23 is mounted, namely, in an outersurface of the upper housing 21 (which is a surface located on theoutside of the information-processing apparatus 10 in the closed state).In other words, in the present embodiment, the two cameras 23 and 24 areprovided such that imaging directions thereof are opposite to eachother. Thus, a user can take images in two different directions withoutchanging a manner of holding the information-processing apparatus 10.For example, the user can take an image of a view seen from theinformation-processing apparatus 10 toward the user with the innercamera 23 as well as an image of a view seen from theinformation-processing apparatus 10 in a direction opposite to the userwith the outer camera 24.

Although the case where the information-processing apparatus 10 includesthe two cameras 23 and 24 as the imaging means is described as anexample in the present embodiment, the information-processing apparatus10 may include one camera, or three or more cameras. Further, a positionat which a camera is mounted may be any position.

The information-processing apparatus 10 includes a plurality of buttons14A to 14J as input devices. As shown in FIG. 1, the direction inputbutton 14A, the button 14B, the button 14C, the button 14D, the button14E, the power button 14F, the start button 14G, and the select button14H are provided on the inner surface of the lower housing 11. Each ofthe buttons 14A to 14E, the start button 14G, and the select button 14His used for performing various operations with respect to theinformation-processing apparatus 10. The power button 14F is used forturning on or off the power of the information-processing apparatus 10.Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the L button 14I is provided at a left endof the upper side of the lower housing 11 (at a left end as viewed fromthe inner surface side; on a y-axis negative side in the drawing), andthe R button 14J is provided at a right end of the upper side (at aright end as viewed from the inner surface side; on a y-axis positiveside in the drawing). The L button 14I and the R button 14J are used forperforming a photographing operation (a shutter operation). Although notshown in the drawings, the information-processing apparatus 10 includesa volume button for adjusting volume of later-described speakers. Forexample, the volume button is provided on a left side surface of thelower housing 11.

The information-processing apparatus 10 further includes a touch panel13, as shown in FIG. 1, as another input device in addition to the abovebuttons. The touch panel 13 is mounted on a screen of the lower LCD 12.The touch panel 13 may be of any type such as a resistive film type, anoptical type (infrared type), or a capacitive coupling type. The touchpanel 13 used in the present embodiment has the same resolution(detection accuracy) as that of the lower LCD 12. However, theresolution of the touch panel 13 and the lower LCD 12 may notnecessarily be the same as each other. A touch pen 27 is usually usedfor performing an input with respect to the touch panel 13, but a fingerof the user can be used for operating the touch panel 13 instead of thetouch pen 27. In the present embodiment, the information-processingapparatus 10 determines a later-described dividing line in accordancewith an input with respect to the touch panel 13. In a right sidesurface of the lower housing 11, an insertion opening 17 (indicated by adotted line in FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided for accommodating the touchpen 27.

The information-processing apparatus 10 includes a microphone (amicrophone 43 shown in FIG. 3) as a voice input device. The microphone43 is accommodated in the upper housing 21. In the present embodiment,the microphone 43 is disposed in the axial portion 21A of the upperhousing 21. In the inner surface of the upper housing 21, a microphonehole 21C is provided to allow the microphone to detect sound outside theinformation-processing apparatus 10. The microphone hole 21C is providedin the axial portion 21A of the upper housing 21.

The information-processing apparatus 10 includes the speakers (notshown) as sound output means. The speakers are accommodated in the upperhousing 21. In the upper housing 21, sound holes 21D are provided forreleasing sound from the speakers therethrough. The sound holes 21D areprovided on both left and right sides of the upper LCD 22, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a cover 18 is provided on the right sidesurface of the lower housing 11 so as to be capable of being opened orclosed. Inside the cover 18, an insertion opening (indicated by atwo-dot chain line in FIG. 1) is provided so as to be capable ofreceiving a memory card 28 therein. In the insertion opening, aconnector (not shown) is provided for electrically connecting theinformation-processing apparatus 10 to the memory card 28. The memorycard 28 is inserted into the insertion opening to be connected to theconnector. The memory card 28 is used, for example, for storing data ofa taken image. Further, an application program (a later-describedselected application program) which is executable by theinformation-processing apparatus 10 may be stored in the memory card 28.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, on the upper side of the lower housing 11,an insertion opening (indicated by a chain line in FIG. 1) is providedso as to be capable of receiving a cartridge 29 therein. In theinsertion opening, a connector (not shown) is provided for electricallyconnecting the information-processing apparatus 10 to the cartridge 29.The cartridge 29 is inserted into the insertion opening to be connectedto the connector. For example, an application program (a later-describedselected application program) which is executable by theinformation-processing apparatus 10 may be stored in the cartridge 29.

[Internal Configuration of Information-Processing Apparatus 10]

With reference to FIG. 3, the following will describe an internalconfiguration of the information-processing apparatus 10. FIG. 3 is ablock diagram showing the internal configuration of theinformation-processing apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3, theinformation-processing apparatus 10 includes electronic componentsincluding a CPU 31, a main memory 32, a memory control circuit 33, astored data memory 34, a preset data memory 35, a memory card interface(memory card I/F) 36, a cartridge interface (cartridge I/F) 37, awireless communication module 38, a local communication module 39, areal time clock (RTC) 40, a power circuit 41, an interface circuit (I/Fcircuit) 42, and the like. These electronic components are mounted on anelectronic circuit substrate and accommodated in the lower housing 11.It is noted that various electronic circuits and a battery of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 may be accommodated in either theupper housing 21 or the lower housing 11.

The CPU 31 is information processing means for executing variousprograms (a later-described launch program, selected applicationprograms, and the like). The main memory 32, the memory control circuit33, and the preset data memory 35 are connected to the CPU 31. Further,the stored data memory 34 is connected to the memory control circuit 33.

The main memory 32 is storage means used as a work area and a bufferarea of the CPU 31. In other words, the main memory 32 stores a(application) program executed by the CPU 31, and also stores variousdata used in processing executed by executing the program. In thepresent embodiment, for example, a PSRAM (Pseudo-SRAM) is used as themain memory 32. The stored data memory 34 is storage means for storing aprogram executable by the CPU 31, data of images taken by the cameras 23and 24, and the like. The stored data memory 34 is constructed of, forexample, a NAND flash memory. In the present embodiment, the abovevarious programs are stored in the stored data memory 34, and when theCPU 31 executes a program, the program to be executed is read outtherefrom into the main memory 32. It is noted that the program executedby the CPU 31 may not be stored in advance in the stored data memory 34,may be obtained from the memory card 28, or may be obtained from alater-described external apparatus by means of communication with theexternal apparatus.

The memory control circuit 33 is a circuit for controlling reading ofdata from the stored data memory 34 or writing of data to the storeddata memory 34 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 31. Thepreset data memory 35 is storage means for storing data (preset data) ofvarious parameters which are set in advance in theinformation-processing apparatus 10, and the like. A flash memoryconnected to the CPU 31 via an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) bus canbe used as the preset data memory 35.

The memory card I/F 36 is connected to the CPU 31. The memory card I/F36 reads out data from the memory card 28 mounted to the connector orwrites data to the memory card 28 in accordance with an instruction fromthe CPU 31. In the present embodiment, data of images taken by thecameras 23 and 24 are written to the memory card 28, and image datastored in the memory card 28 are read out from the memory card 28 to bestored in the stored data memory 34.

The cartridge I/F 37 is connected to the CPU 31. The cartridge I/F 37reads out data from the cartridge 29 mounted to the connector or writesdata to the cartridge 29 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU31. In the present embodiment, an application program (a later-describedselected application program) which is executable by theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is read out from the cartridge 29 tobe executed by the CPU 31, and data regarding the application program(e.g. saved data of a game, and the like) is written to the cartridge29.

The wireless communication module 38 functions to connect to a wirelessLAN device by a method conformed to the standard of IEEE802.11.b/g. Thelocal communication module 39 functions to wirelessly communicate withan information-processing apparatus of the same type by a predeterminedcommunication method. The wireless communication module 38 and the localcommunication module 39 are connected to the CPU 31. The CPU 31 iscapable of receiving data (data of taken images, an application program,and the like) from and sending data (data of taken images, anapplication program, and the like) to another apparatus via the Internetby using the wireless communication module 38, and capable of receivingdata from and sending data to another information-processing apparatusof the same type by using the local communication module 39.

The RTC 40 and the power circuit 41 are connected to the CPU 31. The RTC40 counts a time, and outputs the time to the CPU 31. The CPU 31calculates a current time (date) based on the time counted by the RTC40. The power circuit 41 controls electric power from a power supply(the battery) of the information-processing apparatus 10 to supply theelectric power to each electronic component of theinformation-processing apparatus 10.

The information-processing apparatus 10 includes the microphone 43 andan amplifier 44. The microphone 43 and the amplifier 44 are connected tothe I/F circuit 42. The microphone 43 detects sound, and outputs a soundsignal to the I/F circuit 42. The amplifier 44 amplifies the soundsignal from the I/F circuit 42, and causes the speakers (not shown) tooutput the sound signal. The I/F circuit 42 is connected to the CPU 31.The touch panel 13 is connected to the I/F circuit 42. The I/F circuit42 includes a sound control circuit for controlling the microphone 43and the amplifier 44 (the speakers) and a touch panel control circuitfor controlling the touch panel. The sound control circuit performs A/Dconversion or D/A conversion on the sound signal, and converts the soundsignal into sound data in a predetermined format. The touch panelcontrol circuit generates touch position data in a predetermined formatbased on a signal from the touch panel 13, and outputs the touchposition data to the CPU 31. The touch position data indicatescoordinates of a position (input position) on an input surface of thetouch panel 13 at which an input is performed. The touch panel controlcircuit reads a signal from the touch panel 13 and generates touchposition data every a predetermined time period. The CPU 31 canrecognize an input position with respect to the touch panel 13 byobtaining the touch position data.

An operation section 14 includes the above buttons 14A to 14J and theabove volume button, and is connected to the CPU 31. The operationsection 14 outputs operation data indicative of an input state withrespect to each button (whether or not each button is pressed) to theCPU 31. The CPU 31 obtains the operation data from the operation section14, and executes processing in accordance with an input with respect tothe operation section 14.

The cameras 23 and 24 are connected to the CPU 31. Each of the cameras23 and 24 takes an image in accordance with an instruction from the CPU31, and outputs data of the taken image to the CPU 31. In the presentembodiment, the CPU 31 gives an imaging instruction to the camera 23 or24, and the camera which has received the imaging instruction takes animage and sends image data to the CPU 31 every a predetermined timeperiod.

The LCDs 12 and 22 are connected to the CPU 31. Each of the LCDs 12 and22 displays an image thereon in accordance with an instruction from theCPU 31. In the present embodiment, the CPU 31 causes a taken imageobtained from the camera 23 or 24 and an explanation image forexplaining a manner of operation, and the like to be displayed on theLCDs 12 and 22.

[Outline of Processing in Information-Processing Apparatus 10]

With reference to FIG. 4, the following will describe an outline ofprocessing executed by the information-processing apparatus 11. Theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is capable of executing variousprocessing using a plurality of application programs having variousfunctions, in addition to executing the photographing processing. Thefollowing will describe a method of launching each application.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a method of launching each applicationprogram in the information-processing apparatus 10. Theinformation-processing apparatus 10 selectively launches an applicationprogram desired by the user among a plurality of application programs 53to 56. The application programs 53 to 56 which are selectively launchedby the information-processing apparatus 10 may be referred to asselected application programs.

The above plurality of selected application programs includes thephotographing application program 53. The photographing applicationprogram 53 is an application program for performing photographing withthe camera 23 or 24. The photographing application program 53 is storedin advance (pre-installed) in the information-processing apparatus 10.

Further, the above plurality of selected application programs includesapplication programs having various functions in addition to the abovephotographing application program 53. As shown in FIG. 4, for example,the above plurality of selected application programs includes thesetting application program 54 for performing various settings of theinformation-processing apparatus 10, the communication applicationprogram 55 for the information-processing apparatus 10 to performcommunication with an external apparatus, and the game applicationprogram 56 for performing a predetermined game. Further, in the presentembodiment, the information-processing apparatus 10 stores otherselected application programs in addition to the four selectedapplication programs 53 to 56 as shown in FIG. 4.

The above plurality of selected application programs may include aprogram which is not pre-installed in the information-processingapparatus 10. When executed, for example, a selected application programmay be downloaded from another apparatus via a network such as theInternet, and the like, or may be read from a detachable storage mediumsuch as the memory card 28 or the cartridge 29 into a memory within theinformation-processing apparatus 10.

Further, in the present embodiment, processing of selectively launchingthe selected application programs 53 to 56 is executed by a launchfunction program 51. The launch function program 51 is one of programsincluded in a launch program (a launch program 61 shown in FIG. 5)according to the present invention. The launch function program 51 is aprogram for selecting a selected application program to be launchedamong the plurality of selected application programs 53 to 56. Thelaunch function program 51 is a program called as launcher. The selectedapplication programs 53 to 56 become objects for a selection operationwhich can be performed by the user by executing the launch functionprogram 51, and are selected by the selection operation to be executed.

In addition, the information-processing apparatus 10 includes (1) firstlaunch operation acceptance means, (2) first launch means, (3)photographing processing means, (4) photographing enabling operationacceptance means, (5) state setting means, (6) second launch operationacceptance means, (7) second launch means, and (8) cancellation means.In the present embodiment, each of these means is realized by a program(the launch program 61), which is executed by a computer (the CPU 31) ofthe information-processing apparatus 10, causing the computer tofunction as the means. In an alternative embodiment, theinformation-processing apparatus 10 may not include each means of theabove (6) to (8).

(1) First Launch Operation Acceptance Means

The first launch operation acceptance means accepts a first launchoperation for selectively launching the above plurality of applicationprograms (later-described steps S6 and S11). Thus, the user can select aselected application program to be desired to be launched (executed) forexecution. The first launch operation is an operation for selectivelylaunching the selected application program, and thus, hereinafter, thefirst launch operation may be referred to as a “selection launchoperation”. It is noted that a state of accepting the first launchoperation (a state where it is possible to perform the first launchoperation) is referred to as a “launch acceptance state” (FIG. 4).

(2) First Launch Means

When the first launch operation is performed, the first launch meanslaunches an application program which is selected by the first launchoperation among the above plurality of application programs (alater-described step S12). In other words, for example, when thephotographing application program 53 is selected by the first launchoperation, the photographing application program 53 is launched.

In the present embodiment, the launch acceptance state corresponds to astate where a so-called menu screen is displayed, and theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is initially in the launchacceptance state after being started up (a power is turned on) (exceptfor start-up for the first time). Although details will be describedlater, the menu screen (FIG. 7) showing icons indicating the selectedapplication programs 53 to 56, respectively, is displayed on the lowerLCD 12 in the launch acceptance state in the present embodiment. Theuser can launch a selected application program by performing anoperation of touching a position of the icon with respect to the touchpanel 13 as the first launch operation.

(3) Photographing Processing Means

The photographing processing means executes photographing processing (alater-described step S10). The photographing processing is processing ofstoring a taken image by the camera 23 or 24 in storage means of theinformation-processing apparatus in accordance with a predeterminedphotographing operation. In the present embodiment, the photographingoperation is an operation of pressing a predetermined button (morespecifically, the L button 14I or the R button 14J). The abovephotographing processing means is means realized by executing the launchprogram 61 according to the present invention by the CPU 31 of theinformation-processing apparatus 10, and is different from meansrealized by the above photographing application program 53. It is notedthat the photographing processing means only has to have at least afunction to execute photographing processing (a function to store ataken image by the camera 23 or 24 in the storage means of theinformation-processing apparatus 10), but may have other functionsregarding photographing (e.g. a function to display a stored image, anda function to edit a stored image).

In the present embodiment, the launch program 61 according to thepresent invention includes a photographing function program 52 shown inFIG. 4. The above photographing processing means is realized byexecuting the photographing function program 52 by the CPU 31 of theinformation-processing apparatus 10. In other words, in the presentembodiment, the information-processing apparatus 10 stores two types ofprograms for executing photographing processing, namely, thephotographing function program 52 and the photographing applicationprogram 53.

Further, although, in the present embodiment, the launch program 61includes the two types of programs, the launch function program 51 andthe photographing function program 52, the launch function program 51and the photographing function program 52 may be incorporated into oneprogram. The launch program 61 (the launch function program 51 and thephotographing function program 52) is pre-installed in theinformation-processing apparatus 10.

Here, a function by the photographing processing means is different froma function which is enabled by executing the photographing applicationprogram 53. In the present embodiment, the photographing processingmeans has only a part of the function which the photographingapplication program 53 has. In an alternative embodiment, thephotographing processing means may have a function which thephotographing application program 53 does not have.

(4) Photographing Enabling Operation Acceptance Means

In the launch acceptance state, the photographing enabling operationacceptance means accepts a photographing enabling operation for causing(a state of the information-processing apparatus 10 to be) aphotographing enabled state (the later-described steps S6 and S9). Thephotographing enabled state is a state where it is possible to executephotographing processing by the above photographing processing means inaccordance with the above photographing operation (a state of acceptingthe photographing enabling operation). In other words, in the launchacceptance state, the user can launch the selected application programs53 to 56 by the first launch operation, and can also activate aphotographing function by the photographing processing means by thephotographing enabling operation (FIG. 4). In the present embodiment,the photographing enabling operation is the same as the abovephotographing operation. More specifically, the photographing enablingoperation and the photographing operation each are a single operationwith respect to a predetermined button (an operation of once pressingthe L button 14I or the R button 14J). In an alternative embodiment, thepredetermined button is not limited to a button provided in theinformation-processing apparatus 10, and may be a button (a buttonimage) displayed on the touch panel 13 (the first LCD 12) of theinformation-processing apparatus 10.

In the present embodiment, the photographing enabled state is a state inwhich photographing processing is executed in accordance with aphotographing operation being performed. However, as an optionaladditive configuration, the information-processing apparatus 10 mayperform the following processing in the photographing enabled state. Inthe photographing enabled state, the information-processing apparatus 10may display a live image (an image taken in real time; see FIG. 9)and/or an image for explaining an operation regarding photographing.Further, in the photographing enabled state, the information-processingapparatus 10 may stop processing of launching an application by thefirst launch operation acceptance means.

In the present embodiment, the photographing enabling operation is anoperation of which an operation manner is different from an operationmanner of the first launch operation. More specifically, in the presentembodiment, the first launch operation is an input operation withrespect to the touch panel 13 while the photographing enabling operationis an operation of pressing a predetermined button (more specifically,the L button 14I or the R button 14J). It is noted that the phrase “anoperation manner is different” means that “an input device to beoperated is different”, and also means that an operation performed withrespect to the same input device is different. In an alternativeembodiment, the first launch operation and the photographing enablingoperation may be operations of touching different positions on the touchpanel 13, may be operations of inputting different lines with respect tothe touch panel 13, or may be operations of pressing different buttons.For easily and quickly performing activation of the photographingfunction (launch of the photographing function program 52) by thephotographing processing means, the photographing enabling operation ispreferably an simple operation such as an operation of pressing apredetermined button.

(5) State Setting Means

When the above photographing enabling operation is performed, the statesetting means sets the state of the information-processing apparatus 10to the photographing enabled state (a step S10 which is executed in thecase of YES at a later-described step S9). In other words, when thephotographing enabling operation is performed, the state of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 becomes the photographing enabledstate (FIG. 4). Thus, a photographing operation by the user is possible.Therefore, the user can take a photograph (can cause theinformation-processing apparatus 10 to execute the photographingprocessing) by performing the photographing operation after thephotographing enabling operation is performed.

In the present embodiment, the launch acceptance state and thephotographing enabled state have an exclusive relation with each other,and the information-processing apparatus 10 is alternatively in eitherthe launch acceptance state or the photographing enabled state. In otherwords, the photographing operation (in the photographing enabled state)is not accepted in the launch acceptance state while the first launchoperation (in the launch acceptance state) is not accepted in thephotographing enabled state. However, in an alternative embodiment, thelaunch acceptance state and the photographing enabled state may not havean exclusive relation with each other, and it may be possible for theinformation-processing apparatus 10 to be in the launch acceptance stateand in the photographing enabled state. For example, theinformation-processing apparatus 10 may accept the first launchoperation in the photographing enabled state.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by theconfigurations of the above (1) to (5), the information-processingapparatus 10 is capable of executing two types of photographingfunctions, namely, a photographing function by executing thephotographing application program 53 and a photographing function by thephotographing processing means. For performing photographing by thephotographing processing means from the launch acceptance state, theuser only has to perform the photographing enabling operation and thephotographing operation which are the same as each other. In otherwords, the user can perform photographing only by performing the sameoperation twice (typically, only by pressing the same button twice), andcan perform photographing by an exceedingly simple operation.

Further, in the case where the photographing enabling operation is asingle operation with respect to a predetermined button, thephotographing function by the photographing processing means can beexecuted from the launch acceptance state by a single operation withrespect to a predetermined button, and hence can be executed by anexceedingly simple operation. Thus, when the user desires to performphotographing using the information-processing apparatus 10, the use canquickly set the state of the information-processing apparatus 10 to astate where photographing is possible by once pressing the predeterminedbutton.

(6) Second Launch Operation Acceptance Means

In the above photographing enabled state, the second launch operationacceptance means accepts a second launch operation for launching thephotographing application program 53 (the later-described steps S24 andS28). Thus, in the photographing enabled state, the user can perform thesecond launch operation in addition to the photographing operation. Thesecond launch operation is an operation for launching the photographingapplication program 53 directly from the photographing enabled statewithout returning to the launch acceptance state, and thus may bereferred to as a “shortcut launch operation”.

In the present embodiment, in the photographing enabled state, an imagebeing taken by the camera 23 or 24 is displayed on the lower LCD 12while a button image (a button image 78 shown in FIG. 9) for performingthe second launch operation is displayed on the lower LCD 12 (FIG. 9).The user can perform the second launch operation by performing anoperation of touching the button image. For easily and quicklyperforming launch of the photographing application program 53, thesecond launch operation is preferably a simple operation.

(7) Second Launch Means

When the above second launch operation is performed, the second launchmeans launches the photographing application program 53 (alater-described step S30). Thus, the user can launch the photographingapplication program 53 in either the launch acceptance state or thephotographing enabled state. The photographing application program 53 islaunched (executed) by either the first launch operation in the launchacceptance state or the second launch operation in the photographingenabled state.

(8) Cancellation Means

In the above photographing enabled state, the cancellation meansautomatically cancels the photographing enabled state in accordance withsatisfaction of a predetermined condition (simplified photographingprocessing is terminated in the case of Yes at a later-described S25).The predetermined condition is, for example, a photographing operationbeing performed a predetermined number of times in the photographingenabled state (execution of photographing processing a predeterminednumber of times), elapse of a predetermined time period from a time ofstart of the photographing enabled state, and the like. In the presentembodiment, the photographing enabled state is automatically cancelledin accordance with a single execution of photographing processing in thephotographing enabled state. In other words, when a photographingoperation is performed in the photographing enabled state, thephotographing enabled state is cancelled (after the photographingprocessing is terminated). In the present embodiment, as a result ofcancellation of the photographing enabled state, the state of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is shifted to the launch acceptancestate.

According to the above cancellation means, the photographing enabledstate is automatically cancelled without performing a (dedicated)operation for canceling the photographing enabled state. Especially, inthe present embodiment, when the user performs a photographing operationonce in the photographing enabled state, the state of theinformation-processing apparatus returns to the launch acceptance state.Thus, even a novice user who has not read an instruction manual, and thelike can naturally return to the launch acceptance state by performing aphotographing operation. Therefore, a state that “the user does not knowhow to return from the photographing enabled state to the launchacceptance state” can be prevented, and a user-friendlyinformation-processing apparatus can be provided.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the launchacceptance state, the user can launch the selected application programs53 to 56 by the selection launch operation (the first launch operation),and also can execute the photographing function by the photographingprocessing means by the photographing enabling operation. In addition,in the photographing enabled state where it is possible to performphotographing by the photographing function, the user can launch thephotographing application program 53 by the shortcut launch operation(the second launch operation). Thus, even while performing photographingby the photographing processing means, the user can easily and quicklylaunch the photographing application program 53 by the shortcut launchoperation. In other words, according to the present embodiment, in thecase where the user desires to use a function (of the photographingapplication program 53) which the photographing processing means doesnot have during photographing by the photographing processing means, theuser can easily and quickly use the function by the shortcut launchoperation.

[Detail of Processing in Information-Processing Apparatus 10]

With reference to FIGS. 5 to 17, the following will describe a detail ofthe processing executed by the information-processing apparatus 10.First, with reference to FIG. 5, data used in the processing in theinformation-processing apparatus 10 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a view showing main data stored in the main memory 32 of theinformation-processing apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 5, a programstorage region 60 and a data storage region 64 are provided in the mainmemory 32.

In the program storage region 60, various programs (applicationprograms) executed by the CPU 31 are stored. More specifically, thelaunch program 61, the photographing application program 53, and otherselected application programs 62, and the like are stored in the programstorage region 60. These programs are read out from the stored datamemory 34, the memory card 28, or the cartridge 29 to be stored in themain memory 32 at an appropriate timing after start-up of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 (e.g. at a timing of launching aprogram).

The launch program 61 is a program for executing main processing in theinformation-processing apparatus 10. The launch program 61 is read intothe main memory to be executed after the start-up of theinformation-processing apparatus 10. The launch program 61 includes theabove launch function program 51 and the above photographing functionprogram 52.

The launch function program 51 is a program for selecting a selectedapplication program to be launched as described above.

The photographing function program 52 is a program which is not aselected application program, and is a program for executing thephotographing processing. In the present embodiment, the photographingfunction program 52 has only a part of the function which thephotographing application program 53 has. In other words, in the presentembodiment, the photographing function program 52 is a relatively simplefunctional photographing processing program, and the photographingapplication program 53 is a relatively multifunctional photographingprocessing program. Further, the photographing function program 52 has adata size which is smaller than that of the photographing applicationprogram 53. It is noted that since the programs 52 and 53 have a commonfunction, a part of their data may be commoditized and stored.Hereinafter, the relatively simple functional photographing functionprogram 52 may be referred to as a “simplified photographing program52”, and the relatively multifunctional photographing applicationprogram 53 may be referred to as a “multifunctional photographingapplication program 53”.

In the present specification, the phrase “(relatively) simplefunctional” includes both meaning of having (relatively) few functionsand meaning of having a (relatively) low function, and the phrase“(relatively) multifunctional” includes meaning of having relativelymany functions as well as meaning of having a (relatively) highfunction. In other words, the simplified photographing program 52 mayhave a relatively low function (e.g. photographing with a small numberof pixels, a small number of types of stamps which can be used inediting a taken image, and the like) while the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53 may have a relatively high function(e.g. photographing with a large number of pixels, a large number oftypes of stamps which can be used in editing a taken image, and thelike). Further, the simplified photographing program 52 may haverelatively few functions (e.g. adjustment of exposure and white balanceis impossible, a predetermined editing operation with respect to a takenimage is impossible, and the like) while the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53 may have relatively many functions(e.g. adjustment of exposure and white balance is possible, apredetermined editing operation with respect to a taken image ispossible, and the like).

Further, the other selected application programs 62 are selectedapplication programs other than the multifunctional photographingapplication program 53, and include the above setting applicationprogram 54, the above communication application program 55, the abovegame application program 56, and the like.

The selected application programs (including the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53) are stored in the stored datamemory 34 or the memory card 28, and read out into the main memory 32when launched. It is noted that the selected application programs may beobtained (downloaded) from an external apparatus by means ofcommunication to be stored in the stored data memory 34.

Meanwhile, in the data storage region 64, display image data 65, settingdata 66, and the like are stored. In addition to these data 65 and 66,various data used in the processing in the information-processingapparatus 10 are stored in the data storage region 64.

The display image data 65 is data indicative of a display image. Here,in the present embodiment, one of stored images which are taken in thepast is displayed on the menu screen, and a image being displayed isreferred to as a display image. More specifically, the display imagedata 65 indicates a file name, and the like, of a display image.Although a detail of a method of selecting a display image will bedescribed later, a later-described favorite image, an image immediatelyafter photographing (storing) is performed by the simplifiedphotographing program 52, and the like are selected as a display imagein the present embodiment.

The setting data 66 is data indicative of setting information used ineach program for photographing (the simplified photographing program 52and the multifunctional photographing application program 53). Thesetting data 66 is passed as an argument to each of the programs 52 and53 at a time of launching each of the programs 52 and 53 forphotographing. The setting data 66 includes a camera change data 67 anda storage destination data 68.

The camera change data 67 indicates a camera for taking an image amongthe inner camera 23 and the outer camera 24. In other words, the camerachange data 67 is data indicative of either the inner camera 23 or theouter camera 24.

The storage destination data 68 indicates a storage destination of ataken image (referred to as a stored image) to be stored by thephotographing operation. In the present embodiment, a taken image to bestored by the photographing operation is stored in the stored datamemory 34 or the memory card 28. Thus, the storage destination data 68indicates either the stored data memory 34 or the memory card 28.

It is noted that information such as a file name, and the like isattached to the stored image, and information regarding favorite is alsoattached to the stored image. Here, in the present embodiment, the usercan set some of stored images as “favorite” (a later-described stepS46). Hereinafter, a stored image which is set as favorite is referredto as a “favorite image”. Information indicative of “favorite” is addedto data of a favorite image. In addition, in the present embodiment,information indicative of any of first to third groups is added to thedata of the favorite image. In other words, in the present embodiment,favorite images can be divided into the first to third groups, andmanaged (FIG. 17).

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 17, the following will describe a procedureof the processing in the information-processing apparatus 10. FIG. 6 isa main flow chart showing the procedure of the processing in theinformation-processing apparatus 10. When the power is applied to theinformation-processing apparatus 10 by pressing the power button 14F,the CPU 31 of the information-processing apparatus 10 initializes themain memory 32, and the like, and then starts executing the launchprogram 61. Thus, processing at subsequent steps S1 to S13 is started.

At the step S1, the CPU 31 determines whether or not theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is started up for the first time.The determination at the step S1 can be made, for example, by storingtime and date of starting up the information-processing apparatus 10last time. In other words, if time and date of the last start-up havebeen stored, it can be determined that the start-up of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 this time is not a start-up for thefirst time. On the other hand, if the time and the date of the laststart-up have not been stored, it can be determined that the start-up ofthe information-processing apparatus 10 this time is the start-up forthe first time. When a result of the determination at the step S1 ispositive, the processing at the step S2 is executed. On the other hand,when the result of the determination at the step S1 is negative, theprocessing at the step S2 is skipped, and the processing at the step S3is executed.

At the step S2, the CPU 31 executes photographing leading processing.The photographing leading processing is processing for leading the userto experience a photographing operation with a simple function. In otherwords, in the photographing leading processing, the user is caused toselect whether to perform photographing processing using the abovesimplified photographing program 52. When the user selects to performthe photographing processing, the user is caused to experience a simplephotographing operation by the above simplified photographing program52. A detail of the photographing leading processing will be describedlater using FIG. 15. The CPU 31 executes the processing at the step S3subsequent to the step S2.

At the step S3, the CPU 31 selects a display image among favorite imagesin a random manner. More specifically, the CPU 31 selects one favoriteimage among favorite images stored in the stored data memory 34 in arandom manner, and stores data indicative of information (e.g. a filename) identifying the selected favorite image as the display image data65 in the main memory 32. Subsequent to the step S3, the processing atthe step S4 is executed.

At the step S4, the CPU 31 launches the launch function program 51. Inother words, the CPU 31 reads out the launch function program 51 fromthe stored data memory 34 to be stored in the main memory 32, andexecutes the launch function program 51. The processing at the step S5and thereafter is executed by the CPU 31 executing the launch functionprogram 51. Further, in the present embodiment, the CPU 31 reads out thesimplified photographing program 52 into the main memory 32 along withthe launch function program 51 at a timing of reading out the launchfunction program 51. In an alternative embodiment, the simplifiedphotographing program 52 may be read out into the main memory 32 at atiming of executing later-described simplified photographing processing(the step S11). Subsequent to the step S4, the processing at the step S5is executed.

At the step S5, the CPU 31 displays a menu screen. The menu screen is ascreen (an image) for causing the user to select a selected applicationprogram to be launched among the selected application programs. Thelaunch acceptance state shown in FIG. 4 is a state where the menu screenis displayed. The following will describe the menu screen in the presentembodiment using FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of the menu screen. As shown in FIG.7, at the step S5, the image for causing the user to select a selectedapplication program to be executed is displayed on the lower LCD 12.More specifically, icon images 71 a to 71 c, a scroll bar 72, a marker73, and scroll buttons 74 a and 74 b are displayed on the lower LCD 12.

Each of the icon images 71 a to 71 c is an image indicating a selectedapplication program. In FIG. 7, the three icon images corresponding tothree selected application programs, namely, the icon image 71 aindicating the setting application program 54, the icon image 71 bindicating the multifunctional photographing application program 53, andthe icon image 71 c indicating the communication application program 55,are displayed. The user can launch a selected application programindicated by the touched icon image by performing an operation oftouching the icon image (the icon image 71 b in FIG. 7) displayed at acenter of the screen (in the left-right direction) as the above firstlaunch operation.

In the present embodiment, three icon images (the icon images 71 a to 71c in FIG. 7) among icon images corresponding to a plurality ofapplication programs, respectively, are displayed on the screen. Thethree icon images being displayed (types of the three icon images beingdisplayed) are changed in accordance with an operation of scrolling thescreen. In other words, although icon images indicating selectedapplication programs other than these three selected applicationprograms are not displayed in FIG. 7, the icon images are displayed byscrolling the screen of the lower LCD 12. The scrolling of the screen ofthe lower LCD 12 can be performed by an operation of touching an iconimage other than the icon image displayed at the center of the screen,or by an operation of touching the marker 73 or the scroll button 74 aor 74 b. In other words, when the user touches the icon image (the iconimage 71 a or 71 c in FIG. 7) other than the icon image displayed at thecenter of the screen, the screen of the lower LCD 12 is scrolled, andthe touched icon image is displayed at the center of the screen. Or, theuser can move the marker 73 along the scroll bar 72 by performing anoperation of moving a touched position along the scroll bar 72 right andleft while touching the marker 73, thereby scrolling the screen of thelower LCD 12 in accordance with the movement of the marker 73. Or, thescreen of the lower LCD 12 can be scrolled leftward by an operation oftouching the scroll button 74 a on the left side of the scroll bar 72,and the screen of the lower LCD 12 can be scrolled rightward by anoperation of touching the scroll button 74 b on the right side of thescroll bar 72. As described above, in the state where the menu screen isdisplayed, the user can change the icon image displayed at the center ofthe screen by the operation of scrolling the screen, and also can launchthe selected application program indicated by the icon image by theoperation of touching the icon image displayed at the center of thescreen.

In the present embodiment, the scrolling of the screen of the lower LCD12 is performed by an operation of touching an icon image other than theicon image displayed at the center of the screen, or by an operation oftouching the marker 73 or the scroll button 74 a or 74 b. However, thescrolling of the screen of the lower LCD 12 may be performed by anotheroperation. For example, the screen of the lower LCD 12 may be scrolledrightward by pressing a right side portion of the direction input button14A, and the screen of the lower LCD 12 may be scrolled leftward bypressing a left side portion of the direction input button 14A.

In the present embodiment, all of the plurality of selected applicationprograms are not concurrently displayed, but a part of the plurality ofselected application programs is displayed in the form of a list andinterchanged with the rest so as to be displayed. Here, in analternative embodiment, all of the plurality of selected applicationprograms may be concurrently displayed. Alternatively, (icon images of)selected application programs to be displayed as a list may be displayedin a line as in the present embodiment or may be displayed in a matrixstate of 2×2 or more.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 7, at the step S5, on the upper LCD 22, adisplay image 75 and photographing button images 76 a and 76 b aredisplayed. The display image 75 is a stored image which is stored in themain memory 32, indicated by the display image data 65, and selected atthe step S3, and the like. In other words, in the present embodiment, animage taken in the past is displayed on the menu screen. Thus, a userwho uses the information-processing apparatus 10 for the first time iscaused to be aware that the information-processing apparatus 10 has thephotographing function. Further, the menu screen of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is different for each user (eachinformation-processing apparatus), and thus the menu screen can haveindividuality.

Further, the photographing button images 76 a and 76 b are imagesindicating an operation for shifting the state of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 to a state where it is possible toperform photographing by the simplified photographing program 52 (thephotographing enabled state shown in FIG. 4), namely, the abovephotographing enabling operation. Thus, in the present embodiment, bydisplaying the operation for shifting the state of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 to the photographing enabled stateon the menu screen (a launch acceptance state), it can be clearlydisplayed to the user that it is possible to perform photographing bythe simplified photographing program 52 from the menu screen (withoutselecting a selected application program). As shown in FIG. 7, in thepresent embodiment, the photographing enabling operation is an operationof pressing the L button 14I or the R button 14J. Thus, the user canshift the state of the information-processing apparatus 10 to the statewhere it is possible to perform photographing by the simplifiedphotographing program 52 by once pressing a button (the L button 14I orthe R button 14J) in the launch acceptance state. In the presentembodiment, the photographing enabling operation is an operation ofpressing a predetermined button (the L button 14I or the R button 14J)provided in the information-processing apparatus 10. However, in analternative embodiment, the photographing enabling operation may be anoperation of touching a predetermined button image displayed on thelower LCD 12.

It is noted that in the present embodiment, except for the start-up forthe first time (the case of Yes at the step S1), a screen displayedinitially after the start-up of the information-processing apparatus 10is the menu screen. In other words, in the present embodiment, theinformation-processing apparatus 10 sets an initial state after thestart-up of the information-processing apparatus 10 to the launchacceptance state. Thus, the user can launch the simplified photographingprogram 52 immediately after the start-up.

Referring back to FIG. 6, subsequent to the step S5, the processing atthe step S6 is executed. At the step S6, the CPU 31 accepts an inputwith respect to each input device. In other words, the CPU 31 obtainsoperation data from the operation section 14, and also obtains inputposition data from the touch panel 13. The obtained operation data andinput position data are stored in the main memory 32. In the launchacceptance state, the processing at the step S6 is executed every apredetermined time period (e.g. every a one-frame time period ( 1/60sec.)). Subsequent to the step S6, the processing at the step S7 isexecuted.

At the step S7, the CPU 31 determines whether or not an operation ofscrolling the screen of the lower LCD 12 has been performed. Thedetermination at the step S7 can be made by referring to the inputposition data stored in the main memory 32 at the step S6. In otherwords, in the determination processing at the step S7, the CPU 31determines whether or not an input of touching a region where the marker73 or the scroll button 74 a or 74 b is displayed has been performed.When a result of the determination at the step S7 is positive, theprocessing at the step S8 is executed. On the other hand, when theresult of the determination at the step S7 is negative, the processingat the later-described step S9 is executed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the step S7 ofdetermining existence/nonexistence of a scrolling operation is executedprior to the step S9 of determining existence/nonexistence of aphotographing enabling operation (i.e. detection of a scrollingoperation is performed preferentially over detection of a photographingenabling operation). Thus, while a scrolling operation is performed, thestate of the information-processing apparatus is not shifted to thephotographing enabled state even when a photographing enabling operationis performed. For example, even when an operation of pressing the Lbutton 14I or the R button 14J is performed while a operation ofscrolling the screen of the lower LCD 12 right or left is performed bytouching the scroll button 74 a or 74 b on the left or right side of thescroll bar 72 or by pressing the direction input button 14A, the stateof the information-processing apparatus is not shifted to thephotographing enabled state.

At the step S8, the CPU 31 scrolls a display of the icon images (thescreen of the lower LCD 12). In other words, when a touch input isperformed with respect to the scroll button 74 a, the icon images arescrolled rightward. Thus, an icon image which has not been displayed onthe screen of the lower LCD 12 can be displayed. Subsequent to the stepS8, the processing at the step S5 is executed again.

Meanwhile, at the step S9, the CPU 31 determines whether or not thephotographing enabling operation has been performed. The determinationat the step S9 can be made by referring to the operation data stored inthe main memory 32 at the step S6. In other words, in the determinationprocessing at the step S9, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the Lbutton 14I or the R button 14J has been pressed. When a result of thedetermination at the step S9 is positive, the processing at the step S10is executed. On the other hand, when the result of the determination atthe step S9 is negative, the processing at the later-described step S11is executed.

At the step S10, the CPU 31 executes the simplified photographingprocessing. The simplified photographing processing is processing forcausing the user to perform photographing with a simple function by thesimplified photographing program 52. With reference to FIG. 8, thefollowing will describe a detail of the simplified photographingprocessing.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the simplifiedphotographing processing (the step S10) shown in FIG. 6. In input imagegeneration processing, first, at a step S21, the CPU 31 launches thesimplified photographing program 52. In the present embodiment, sincethe simplified photographing program 52 has been read into the mainmemory 32 along with the launch function program 51, the CPU 31 startsexecuting the simplified photographing program 52. At this time, thedata 67 and 68 included in the setting data 66 stored in the main memory32 are inputted (set) as arguments with respect to the simplifiedphotographing program 52. Processing at steps S22 to S28 after the stepS21 is executed using the simplified photographing program 52 (byexecuting the simplified photographing program 52).

At the step S22, the CPU 31 obtains data of an image taken by the innercamera 23 or the outer camera 24. In the present embodiment, an image istaken by only one of the cameras 23 and 24, and the CPU 31 obtains imagedata only from the camera. It is noted that which an image is taken bythe camera 23 or 24 is determined in accordance with content of thecamera change data 67 which is passed as the argument at a time of thelaunch of the simplified photographing program 52 (the step S21).Subsequent to the step S22, the processing at the step S23 is executed.

At the step S23, the CPU 31 executes display processing. At the step S23which is in the photographing enabled state, an image taken by thecamera 23 or 24, and the like are displayed. The following will describeimages displayed in the photographing enabled state using FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of the images displayed in thephotographing enabled state. As shown in FIG. 9, at the step S23, ataken image 77 by the camera 23 or 24 which is obtained at the step S22is displayed on the lower LCD 12. The processing at the steps S22 andS23 is repeatedly executed every a predetermined time period (e.g. 1/60sec.). By repeatedly executing the processing at these steps S22 andS23, a real-time image taken by the camera 23 or 24 is displayed on thelower LCD 12. In an alternative embodiment, the real-time image may bedisplayed on the upper LCD 22. In this case, an image stored by thephotographing operation may be also displayed on the lower LCD 12.

In addition, a button image 78 for performing an operation for executingthe multifunctional photographing application program 53 (the abovesecond launch operation) is displayed on the lower LCD 12. Unlike theicon images displayed on the menu screen, the button image 78 is fixedlydisplayed at a predetermined position (at an upper right position inFIG. 9) on the screen. Although detail will be described later, the usercan easily shift the state of the information-processing apparatus 10from a state of executing the simplified photographing program 52 to astate of executing the multifunctional photographing application program53 by pressing the button image 78.

Further, similarly as in FIG. 7, the display image 75 and thephotographing button images 76 a and 76 b are displayed on the upper LCD22. In the present embodiment, similarly as the photographing enablingoperation, the photographing operation is an operation of pressing the Lbutton 14I or the R button 14J (see the photographing button images 76 aand 76 b shown in FIG. 9). In an alternative embodiment, thephotographing operation may not be the same as the photographingenabling operation, and, for example, a button image for performing thephotographing operation may be displayed on the lower LCD 12, and anoperation of touching the button image may be the photographingoperation. Further, the information-processing apparatus 10 may acceptboth the operation of pressing the L button 14I or the R button 14J andthe operation of touching the button image as the photographingoperation.

Referring back to FIG. 8, subsequent to the step S23, the processing atthe step S24 is executed. At the step S24, the CPU 31 accepts an inputwith respect to each input device. The processing at the step S24 is thesame as the processing at the above step S6. Subsequent to the step S24,the processing at the step S25 is executed.

At the step S25, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the photographingoperation has been performed. The determination at the step S25 can bemade by referring to operation data stored in the main memory 32 at thestep S24. In the present embodiment, since the first launch operationand the photographing operation are the same as each other, theprocessing at the step S25 can be executed similarly as the processingat the step S9. When a result of the determination at the step S25 ispositive, the processing at the step S26 is executed. On the other hand,when the result of the determination at the step S25 is negative, theprocessing at the later-described step S27 is executed.

At the step S26, the CPU 31 stores a taken image. In other words, theCPU 31 stores the taken image obtained at the step S22 in the storeddata memory 34 or the memory card 28. A storage destination of the takenimage is determined in accordance with content of the storagedestination data 68 which is passed as the argument at the time of thelaunch of the simplified photographing program 52 (the step S21). It isnoted that the storage destination of the taken image can be changed bythe user in the multifunctional photographing processing by thelater-described multifunctional photographing application program 53.Subsequent to the step S26, the processing at the step S27 is executed.

At the step S27, the CPU 31 selects the stored image which is stored atthe last step S26 as a display image. More specifically, the CPU 31stores data indicative of the stored image which is stored at the laststep S26 as the display image data 65 in the main memory 32. After theprocessing at the step S27, the CPU 31 terminates the execution of thesimplified photographing program 52, and terminates the simplifiedphotographing processing. Then, the processing at the step S4 shown inFIG. 6 is executed again.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in accordance with thephotographing operation being performed in the photographing enabledstate (the simplified photographing processing), the simplifiedphotographing processing is terminated, and the state of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is shifted from the photographingenabled state to the launch acceptance state. In other words, when theuser once performs the photographing operation in the simplifiedphotographing processing, a screen display of the information-processingapparatus 10 is returned to the menu screen, and thus even a novice userwho has not read an instruction manual, and the like can naturallyreturn to the launch acceptance state. Further, in the presentembodiment, since the photographing enabling operation and thephotographing operation are the same as each other, a shift from thelaunch acceptance state to the photographing enabled state and a shiftfrom the photographing enabled state to the launch acceptance state canbe performed by the same operation. Thus, even if the user accidentallypresses the L button 14I or the R button 14J or presses the L button 14Ior the R button 14J without fully understanding a manner of operation toshift the state of the information-processing apparatus 10 to thephotographing enabled state, the user can return to the original state(the launch acceptance state) by pressing the same button. Thus, theinformation-processing apparatus 10 which is easy for the novice user tooperate can be provided. In an alternative embodiment, the photographingenabling operation and the photographing operation may be different fromeach other. Even in this case, an operation for shifting the state ofthe information-processing apparatus 10 from the photographing enabledstate to the launch acceptance state and the photographing enablingoperation may be the same as each other. For example, the photographingenabling operation may be an operation of pressing the L button 14I orthe R button 14J, the photographing operation may be an operation oftouching a predetermined button image displayed on the lower LCD 12, andthe operation for shifting the state of the information-processingapparatus 10 from the photographing enabled state to the launchacceptance state may be an operation of pressing the L button 14I or theR button 14J.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the state of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is shifted to the launch acceptancestate after the photographing operation is performed. Thus, the state ofthe information-processing apparatus 10 is shifted to the launchacceptance state without displaying the image stored in the processingat the above step S26 by the simplified photographing program 52. Here,in the present embodiment, in the processing at the step S27, the CPU 31sets the image stored in the processing at the step S26 as a displayimage after the shift to the launch acceptance state. Thus, the storedimage taken by the simplified photographing program 52 is displayed asthe display image immediately after the shift to the launch acceptancestate. As a result, according to the present embodiment, although thestate of the information-processing apparatus 10 is shifted to thelaunch acceptance state by performing the photographing operation, theuser can quickly confirm the image taken by the simplified photographingprogram 52.

Meanwhile, at the step S28, the CPU 31 determines whether or not thesecond launch operation has been performed. The determination at thestep S28 can be made by referring to input position data stored in themain memory 32 at the step S24. In other words, in the determinationprocessing at the step S28, the CPU 31 determines whether or not aninput of touching a region where the button image 78 for performing thesecond launch operation is displayed has been perfumed. When a result ofthe determination at the step S28 is positive, the later-describedmultifunctional photographing processing (FIG. 10) is executed. On theother hand, when the result of the determination at the step S28 isnegative, the processing at the step S22 is executed again. This is theend of the description of the simplified photographing processing shownin FIG. 8.

Referring back to FIG. 6, at the step S11, the CPU 31 determines whetheror not the first launch operation has been performed. The determinationat the step S11 can be made by referring to the input position datastored in the main memory 32 at the step S6. In other words, in thedetermination processing at the step S11, the CPU 31 determines whetheror not an input of touching a region where the icon image is displayedhas been performed. When a result of the determination at the step S11is positive, the processing at the step S12 is executed. On the otherhand, when the result of the processing at the step S11 is negative, theprocessing at the later-described step S13 is executed.

At the step S12, the CPU 31 executes processing of executing a selectedapplication program. In other words, the CPU 31 reads a selectedapplication program corresponding to the icon image selected by thefirst launch operation into the main memory 32, and executes theselected application program. Thus, the selected application program isstarted, and the user can use the selected application program. Theprocessing at the step S12 is terminated by terminating the selectedapplication program, and the processing at the step S3 is executed againsubsequent to the step S12.

Here, a case where the multifunctional photographing application program53 is executed as the selected application program at the above step S12will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a procedureof processing by the multifunctional photographing application program53 (the multifunctional photographing processing). In themultifunctional photographing processing, first, at a step S30, the CPU31 launches the multifunctional photographing application program 53. Inother words, the CPU 31 reads the multifunctional photographingapplication program 53 into the main memory 32, and starts executing themultifunctional photographing application program 53. At this time, thedata 67 and 68 included in the setting data 66 stored in the main memory32 are inputted (set) as arguments with respect to the simplifiedphotographing program 52. Subsequent to the step S30, processing at astep S31 is executed. The processing at the steps S31 to S39 after thestep S30 is executed using the multifunctional photographing applicationprogram 53 (by executing the multifunctional photographing applicationprogram 53).

At the step S31, the CPU 31 executes display processing. Here, in thepresent embodiment, in the multifunctional photographing processing,there are a photographing mode for performing photographing using theimaging means and a photograph display mode for displaying an image (astored image) taken in the past. In the display processing at the stepS31, an image for causing the user to select either one of the two modes(the photograph display mode and the photographing mode) in themultifunctional photographing processing, and an image for setting astorage destination of a taken image to be stored by the photographingoperation are displayed on at least one of the LCDs 12 and 22. Althoughnot shown in the drawings, in the present embodiment, an imageindicating each of the photograph display mode and the photographingmode, and an image indicating an instruction to change a storagedestination of a taken image are displayed on the lower LCD 12. It isnoted that a method for causing the user to select a mode and a methodfor causing the user to change a storage destination may be any methods,and the user may be caused to perform selection and changing with abutton instead of the touch panel 13.

At the step S32, the CPU 31 accepts an input with respect to each inputdevice. The processing at the step S32 is the same as the processing atthe above step S6. Subsequent to the step S32, the processing at thestep S33 is executed.

At the step S33, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the photographdisplay mode has been selected. The determination at the step S33 can bemade by referring to input position data stored in the main memory 32 atthe step S32. In other words, in the determination processing at thestep S33, the CPU 31 determines whether or not an input of touching aregion where the image indicating the photograph display mode isdisplayed has been performed. When a result of the determination at thestep S33 is positive, the processing at step S34 is executed. On theother hand, when the result of the determination at the step S33 isnegative, the processing at the later-described step S35 is executed.

At the step S34, the CPU 31 executes processing to be executed in thephotograph display mode (photograph display mode processing). Withreference to FIG. 11, the following will describe a detail of thephotograph display mode processing.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the photograph displaymode processing (the step S34) shown in FIG. 10. In the photographdisplay mode processing, first, at a step S41, the CPU 31 executesdisplay processing. At the step S41 in the photograph display mode, astored image taken in the past, and the like are displayed. Withreference to FIG. 12, the following will describe images displayed inthe photograph display mode.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of the images displayed in thephotograph display mode. As shown in FIG. 12, at the step S41, aplurality of stored images 81 to 83 (three in the drawing), cursors 84,scroll buttons 85 and 86, a setting button 87, and an end button 88 aredisplayed on the lower LCD 12.

In FIG. 12, the stored images 81 to 83 are (a part of) stored imageswhich are stored in the stored data memory 34 or the memory card 28. Thestored image 82 surrounded by the cursors 84 is an image which iscurrently selected by the cursors 84. The scroll buttons 85 and 86 arebuttons for scrolling the stored images 81 to 83 right and left. Inother words, when a touch input is performed with respect to the scrollbutton 85 on the right side of the screen, the stored images 81 to 83are scrolled rightward, and when a touch input is performed with respectto the scroll button 86 on the left side of the screen, the storedimages 81 to 83 are scrolled leftward. When the stored images arescrolled rightward or leftward, the stored images being displayed on thelower LCD 12 are changed, and the stored image selected by the cursors84 is also changed.

It is noted that in the present embodiment, in the photograph displaymode, a taken image which is stored in either the simplifiedphotographing processing or the multifunctional photographing processingis displayed. In the present embodiment, a stored image which is storedin the simplified photographing processing, and a stored image which isstored in the multifunctional photographing processing are storedwithout distinguishing therebetween. More specifically, for eitherstored image, a rule for attaching a file name to a data file of thestored image (e.g. attaching a file name using time and date to bephotographed, a total number of images taken by theinformation-processing apparatus 10, and the like) is the same. Sincethe stored images which are stored in either photographing processingare stored without distinguishing therebetween, the stored image whichis stored in each photographing processing can be displayed in thephotograph display mode.

The setting button 87 is a button image for performing an operation fornewly setting the stored image selected by the cursors 84 as a favoriteimage. In other words, when a touch input is performed with respect tothe setting button 87, the stored image selected by the cursors 84 isset as a favorite image.

The end button 88 is a button image for performing an operation forterminating the photograph display mode. In other words, when a touchinput is performed with respect to the end button 88, the photographdisplay mode is terminated, and the processing by the CPU 31 is returnedto the processing at the step S31.

It is noted that at the step S41, some information may be displayed onthe upper LCD 22 or may not be displayed on the upper LCD 22. In thepresent embodiment, the CPU 31 displays the stored image selected by thecursors 84 on the upper LCD 22.

Referring back to FIG. 11, subsequent to the step S41, processing at astep S42 is executed. At the step S42, the CPU 31 accepts an input withrespect to each input device. The processing at the step S42 is the sameas the processing at the step S6. Subsequent to the step S42, processingat a step S43 is executed.

At the step S43, the CPU 31 determines whether or not an operation ofscrolling the stored images being displayed on the lower LCD 12 has beenperformed. The determination at the step S43 can be made by referring toinput position data stored in the main memory 32 at the step S42. Inother words, in the determination processing at the step S43, the CPU 31determines whether or not an input of touching a region where the scrollbutton 85 or 86 is displayed has been performed. When a result of thedetermination at the step S43 is positive, processing at a step S44 isexecuted. On the other hand, when the result of the determination at thestep S43 is negative, processing at a later-described step S45 isexecuted.

At the step S44, the CPU 31 scrolls the stored images being displayed onthe lower LCD 12. In other words, when a touch input is performed withrespect to the scroll button 85, the CPU 31 scrolls the stored imagesrightward, and when a touch input is performed with respect to thescroll button 86, the CPU 31 scrolls the stored images leftward. Thus, astored image which has not been displayed on the screen of the lower LCD12 is displayed. Subsequent to the step S44, the processing at the abovestep S41 is executed again.

Meanwhile, at the step S45, the CPU 31 determines whether or not anoperation for setting a stored image as a favorite image has beenperformed. The determination at the step S45 can be made by referring tothe input position data stored in the main memory 32 at the step S42. Inother words, in the determination processing at the step S45, the CPU 31determines whether or not an input of touching a region where thesetting button 87 is displayed has been performed. When a result of thedetermination at the step S45 is positive, processing at a step S46 isexecuted. On the other hand, when the result of the determination at thestep S45 is negative, the processing at the above step S41 is executedagain.

At the step S46, the CPU 31 sets a stored image which is currentlyselected by the cursors 84 as a favorite image. More specifically, theCPU 31 adds information indicative of the favorite image to data of thestored image which is stored in the stored data memory 34 or the memorycard 28. In addition, in the present embodiment, at the step S46, theCPU 31 causes the user to select which the stored image is to be set tothe first, second, or third group. Thus, information indicative of agroup selected by the user among the first to third groups is added tothe data of the stored image. Subsequent to the step S46 describedabove, processing at a step S47 is executed.

At the step S47, the CPU 31 determines whether or not to terminate thephotograph display mode. The determination at the step S47 can be madeby referring to the input position data stored in the main memory 32 atthe step S42. In other words, in the determination processing at thestep S47, the CPU 31 determines whether or not an input of touching aregion where the end button 88 is displayed has been performed. When aresult of the determination at the step S47 is positive, the CPU 31terminates the photograph display mode processing shown in FIG. 11. Onthe other hand, when the result of the determination at the step S47 isnegative, the processing at the above step S41 is executed again.

In the photograph display mode described above, the user can view thestored images taken in the past, and also can set the stored image as afavorite image. As described above, at the above step S3, the displayimage displayed on the menu screen (the display image 75 shown in FIG.7) is selected among the favorite images. Thus, the user can select animage to be displayed as a display image by himself or herself.

Referring back to FIG. 10, when the processing at the above step S34 isterminated, the processing at the step S31 is executed again. Thus, whenthe photograph display mode is terminated, the screen for causing theuser to select either the photograph display mode or the photographingmode is displayed again (the step S31).

Meanwhile, at the step S35, the CPU 31 determines whether or not thephotographing mode has been selected. The determination at the step S35can be made by referring to the input position data stored in the mainmemory 32 at the step S32. In other words, in the determinationprocessing at the step S35, the CPU 31 determines whether or not aninput of touching a region where the image indicating the photographingmode is displayed has been performed. When a result of the determinationat the step S35 is positive, the processing at the step S36 is executed.On the other hand, when the result of the determination at the step S35is negative, the processing at the later-described step S37 is executed.

At the step S36, the CPU 31 executes processing to be executed in thephotographing mode (photographing mode processing) With reference toFIG. 13, the following will describe a detail of the photographing modeprocessing.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the photographing modeprocessing (the step S36) shown in FIG. 11. In the photographing modeprocessing, first, at a step S50, the CPU 31 obtains data of an imagetaken by the inner camera 23 or the outer camera 24. The processing atthe step S50 is the same as the processing at the above step S22 (FIG.8). Subsequent to the step S50, processing at a step S51 is executed.

At the step S51, the CPU 31 executes display processing. At the step S51which is in the photographing mode, the taken image by the camera 23 or24, and the like are displayed. The following will describe an imagedisplayed in the photographing mode using FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of the image displayed in thephotographing mode. As shown in FIG. 14, at the step S51, in addition tothe taken image 77 similarly as in FIG. 9, various buttons 91 to 99 aredisplayed on the lower LCD 12. Each of the buttons 91 to 99 is an imagefor performing an instruction with respect to the information-processingapparatus 10 by the user performing a touch input with respect to aposition of the image. The following will describe the buttons 91 to 99.

The photographing button 91 is a button image for performing thephotographing operation. In other words, when a touch input is performedwith respect to the photographing button 91, processing of storing ataken image is executed. It is noted that the photographing button 91 ispreferably displayed substantially at a center of the lower housing 11(in the left-right direction) for the user to easily operate thephotographing button 91 with either a right hand or a left hand.

The camera change button 92 is an image for performing a camera changeoperation. In other words, when a touch input is performed with respectto the camera change button 92, a camera for taking an image is changedbetween the inner camera 23 and the outer camera 24.

The end button 93 is a button image for performing an operation forterminating the photographing mode. In other words, when a touch inputis performed with respect to the end button 93, the photographing modeis terminated, and the processing by the CPU 31 is returned to theprocessing at the step S31.

Each of the buttons 94 to 99 is a button image for performing aninstruction in editing processing. The pen mode button 94, the erasermode button 95, and the stamp mode button 96 are button images forperforming an operation for changing an editing mode. Here, in thepresent embodiment, three modes, namely, a pen mode, a stamp mode, andan eraser mode, are prepared in advance. In the pen mode, an image of aninput line which is inputted with respect to the touch panel 13 can beadded to a taken image. In the stamp mode, a stamp image which isprepared in advance can be added to a taken image. In the eraser mode,an image added in the pen mode or the stamp mode can be deleted. The penmode button 94 is an image for performing an instruction to change theediting mode to the pen mode. The eraser mode button 95 is an image forperforming an instruction to change the editing mode to the eraser mode.The stamp mode button 96 is an image for performing an instruction tochange the editing mode to the stamp mode.

The thickness change button 97 is an image for performing an instructionto change a thickness of a line to be inputted in the pen mode. Thecolor change button 98 is an image for performing an instruction tochange a color of a line to be inputted in the pen mode. An all deletionbutton 99 is an image for performing an instruction to delete all imagesadded in the pen mode or the stamp mode.

By performing an instruction using each of the above buttons 94 to 99,the user can input an image on the taken image displayed on the lowerLCD 12 (so as to be superimposed on the taken image). It is noted thatFIG. 14 shows an image in the case where there is no image inputted bythe user in the later-described editing processing. Further, in thepresent embodiment, an image for explaining a manner of operation in thephotographing mode to the user is displayed on the upper LCD 12.

Referring back to FIG. 13, at a step S52, the CPU 31 accepts an inputwith respect to each input device. The processing at the step S52 is thesame as the processing at the above step S6. Subsequent to the step S52,processing at a step S33 is executed.

At the step S53, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the photographingoperation has been performed. The determination at the step S53 can bemade by referring to operation data and input position data which arestored in the main memory 32 at the step S52. In other words, in thedetermination processing at the step S53, the CPU 31 determines whetheror not the L button 14I or the R button 14J has been pressed, or whetheror not an input of touching a region where the photographing button 91is displayed has been performed. Thus, in the multifunctionalphotographing processing, the user can perform an operation which is thesame as the photographing operation in the simplified photographingprocessing (the operation of pressing the L button 14I or the R button14J) as the photographing operation, and also can perform an operationof touching the photographing button 91 as the photographing operation.When a result of the determination at the step S53 is positive,processing at a step S54 is executed. On the other hand, when the resultof the determination at the step S53 is negative, processing at alater-described step S55 is executed.

As described at the above step S53, in the present embodiment, thephotographing processing function which is owned in common by thesimplified photographing program 52 and the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53 is executed in accordance with thesame operation (the operation of pressing the L button 14I or the Rbutton 14J). Since it is possible to perform the same operationregarding the same function even when a program is changed, auser-friendly operation system can be provided. It is noted that thephrase “the function owned in common is executed in accordance with thesame operation” means that the same function may be executed by anoperation in either the simplified photographing program 52 or themultifunctional photographing application program 53, and does not meanto exclude a meaning that in either the simplified photographing program52 or the multifunctional photographing application program 53, thefunction is executed by an operation different from the operation. Inother words, as in the present embodiment, in the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53, the photographing processing maybe executed by the operation of touching the photographing button 91 inaddition to the operation of pressing the L button 14I or the R button14J.

At a step S54, the CPU 31 stores a taken image. The processing at thestep S54 is the same as the processing at the step S26 in the abovesimplified photographing processing. Thus, in the present embodiment,processing of storing a taken image is similarly executed in thesimplified photographing processing and the multifunctionalphotographing processing. More specifically, a method of deciding acamera used for taking an image and a method of deciding a storagedestination in the simplified photographing processing are the same asthose in the multifunctional photographing processing. Subsequent to thestep S54, processing at a later-described step S59 is executed.

At the step S55, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the camera changeoperation has been performed. The determination at the step S55 can bemade by referring to the input position data stored in the main memory32 at the step S52. In other words, in the determination processing atthe step S55, the CPU 31 determines whether or not an operation oftouching a region where the camera change button 92 is displayed hasbeen performed. When a result of the determination at the step S55 ispositive, processing at a step S56 is executed. On the other hand, whenthe result of the determination at the step S55 is negative, processingat a later-described step S57 is executed.

At the step S56, the CPU 31 changes the camera for taking an image. Inother words, when the camera for taking an image is the inner camera 23,the CPU 31 changes the camera for taking an image to the outer camera24. When the camera for taking an image is the outer camera 24, the CPU31 changes the camera for taking an image to the inner camera 23. Morespecifically, the CPU 31 gives an instruction to stop an operation toone of the cameras 23 and 24 taking an image, and gives an instructionto perform imaging to the other camera. When the processing at the abovestep S56 is executed, at the step S50 executed the next time, data of animage taken by the camera after the change is obtained by the CPU 31,and at the step S51 executed the next time, the image taken by thecamera after the change is displayed on the lower LCD 12. Further, atthe step S56, the CPU 31 stores data of indicative of the camera afterthe change as the camera change data 67 in the main memory 32. Thus,when the multifunctional photographing processing is executed the nexttime, or when the simplified photographing processing is executed thenext time, imaging is performed by the camera after the change.Subsequent to the step S56, the processing at the later-described stepS59 is executed.

At the step S57, the CPU 31 determines whether or not an editingoperation has been performed. The determination at the step S57 can bemade by referring to the input position data stored in the main memory32 at the step S52. In other words, in the determination processing atthe step S57, the CPU 31 determines whether or not an input of touchinga region where any of the buttons 94 to 99 is displayed or a regionwhere the taken image 77 is displayed has been performed. When a resultof the determination at the step S57 is positive, processing at a stepS58 is executed. On the other hand, when the result of the determinationat the step S57 is negative, the processing at the later-described stepS59 is executed.

At the step S58, the CPU 31 executes various editing processing inaccordance with a touch input performed by the user. For example, whenany of the buttons 94 to 98 is touched, the CPU 31 changes settings (theediting mode, settings regarding the thickness or the color of a line)in accordance with a touched button. When the region of the taken image77 is touched, the CPU 31 executes processing according to the editingmode with respect to a touched position. In other words, when theediting mode is the pen mode, an image of a line by a touch input isadded to the taken image 77, when the editing mode is the stamp mode, astamp image which is prepared in advance is added to the taken image 77at the touch position, and when the editing mode is the eraser mode, theimage added at the touched position in the pen mode or the stamp mode isdeleted. When the all deletion button 99 is touched, all images added tothe taken image 77 in the pen mode or the stamp mode are deleted.Subsequent to the step S58 described above, the processing at the stepS59 is executed.

At the step S59, the CPU 31 determines whether or not to terminate thephotographing mode. The determination at the step S59 can be made byreferring to the input position data stored in the main memory 32 at thestep S452. In other words, in the determination processing at the stepS59, the CPU 31 determines whether or not an input of touching a regionwhere the end button 93 is displayed has been performed. When a resultof the step S59 is positive, the CPU 31 terminates the photographingmode processing shown in FIG. 13. On the other hand, when the result ofthe determination at the step S59 is negative, the processing at theabove step S50 is executed again. This is the end of the description ofthe photographing mode processing shown in FIG. 13.

Referring back to FIG. 10, when the processing at the above step S36 isterminated, the processing at the step S31 is executed again. Thus, whenthe photographing mode is terminated, the screen for causing the user toselect either the photograph display mode or the photographing mode isdisplayed again (the step S31).

Meanwhile, at the step S37, the CPU 31 determines whether or not anoperation for changing a storage destination of a stored image has beenperformed. The determination at the step S37 can be made by referring tothe input position data stored in the main memory 32 at the step S32. Inother words, in the determination processing at the step S37, the CPU 31determines whether or not an input of touching a region where the imageindicating the instruction to change a storage destination of a takenimage has been performed. When a result of the determination at the stepS37 is positive, the processing at the step S38 is executed. On theother hand, when the result of the determination at the step S37 isnegative, the processing at the later-described step S39 is executed.

At the step S38, the CPU 31 changes a storage destination of a takenimage. In other words, when a current storage destination is the storeddata memory 34, the storage destination is changed to the memory card28, and when the current storage destination is the memory card 28, thestorage destination is changed to the stored data memory 34. Morespecifically, the CPU 31 stores data indicative of the storagedestination after the change as the storage destination data 68 in themain memory 32. Subsequent to the step S38, the processing at the stepS31 is executed again.

At the step S39, the CPU 31 determines whether or not to terminate themultifunctional photographing processing. The determination is made bydetermining whether or not an instruction to terminate themultifunctional photographing processing has been performed by the user.For example, a button image for performing an operation for terminatingthe multifunctional photographing processing may be displayed in thedisplay processing at the step S31, the instruction to terminate themultifunctional photographing processing may be performed by touchingthe button image. Alternatively, the instruction may be performed bypressing a predetermined button. When a result of the determination atthe step S39 is negative, the processing at the step S31 is executedagain. On the other hand, when the result of the determination at thestep S39 is positive, the CPU 31 terminates the execution of themultifunctional photographing application program 53, and terminates themultifunctional photographing processing. Then, the processing at thestep S3 shown in FIG. 6 is executed again.

Referring back to FIG. 6, at the step S13, the CPU 31 determines whetheror not to terminate the processing in the information-processingapparatus 10. The determination at the step S13 is made by determiningwhether or not a predetermined termination instruction operation (morespecifically, an operation of pressing the power button 14F, and thelike) has been performed by the user. When a result of the determinationat the step S13 is negative, the processing at the step S5 is executedagain. On the other hand, when the result of the determination at thestep S13 is positive, the CPU 31 terminates the processing shown in FIG.6.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the statewhere the menu screen is displayed (in the launch acceptance state; atthe step S5), the information-processing apparatus 10 accepts the firstlaunch operation for launching a selected application program (the stepsS11 and S12), and also the photographing enabling operation forlaunching the simplified photographing program 52 (the steps S9 andS10). Thus, since the simplified photographing program 52 is quicklylaunched by the photographing enabling operation from the state wherethe menu screen is displayed, the user can easily launch the simplifiedphotographing program 52. Particularly, in the present embodiment, inorder to launch a desired selected application program, the user has toperform the first launch operation after performing a scrollingoperation according to need, while the user only has to perform thephotographing enabling operation in order to launch the simplifiedphotographing program 52. Thus, in the present embodiment, it ispossible to launch the simplified photographing program 52 more easilythan the selected application program.

In addition, according to the above embodiment, during the execution ofthe simplified photographing program 52 (in the photographing enabledstate; at the steps S22 to S28), the CPU 31 accepts the second launchoperation for launching the photographing application program 53 (thestep S28). According to this, the user can launch the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53 by the second launch operation evenwhile performing photographing by the simplified photographing program52. Therefore, even when the user desires to use a function of themultifunctional photographing application program 53 which thesimplified photographing program 52 does not have while performingphotographing by the simplified photographing program 52, the user caneasily and quickly use the function by the second launch operation.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to quickly launch thesimplified photographing program 52 having a relatively simple functionfrom the menu screen, and it is possible to launch the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53 having more functions during theexecution of the simplified photographing program 52. Thus, according tothe present embodiment, the user can be caused to use theinformation-processing apparatus 10 in a usage manner in which “theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is initially operated by aphotographing program having a simple function, and then variousphotographing functions of the information-processing apparatus 10 areused by a photographing program having more functions”, and the user canbe caused to use the information-processing apparatus 10 so as to getused to an operation of the information-processing apparatus 10.Further, the simplified photographing program 52 can be assumed as anintroduction (a trial version) for the multifunctional photographingapplication program 53, and from the viewpoint of a supplier of theinformation-processing apparatus 10, the user can be prompted to use themultifunctional photographing application program 53 by allowing thesimplified photographing program 52 to be quickly launched from the menuscreen.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the function of the simplifiedphotographing program 52 is a part of the function of themultifunctional photographing application program 53, the data size ofthe simplified photographing program 52 is smaller than that of themultifunctional photographing application program 53. Thus, by setting aprogram launched by the above photographing enabling operation from themenu screen to the simplified photographing program 52 having thesmaller data size, it is possible to quickly launch a program forphotographing from the menu screen.

(Photographing Leading Processing)

The following will describe a detail of the photographing leadingprocessing at the above step S2. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing aprocedure of the photographing leading processing (the step S2) shown inFIG. 6. In the photographing leading processing, first, at a step S61,the CPU 31 displays a selection screen for causing the user to selectwhether or not to perform photographing (whether or not to shift thestate of the information-processing apparatus 10 to the photographingenabled state). For example, along with a message saying “Why don't youtake a photograph?”, a button image for performing an instruction toperform photographing, and a button image for performing an instructionnot to perform photographing are displayed on the lower LCD 12.Subsequent to the step S61, processing at a step S62 is executed.

At the step S62, the CPU 31 accepts an input with respect to each inputdevice. The processing at the step S62 is the same as the processing atthe above step S6. Subsequent to the step S62, processing at a step S63is executed.

At a step S63, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the instruction toperform photographing has been selected. The determination at the stepS63 can be made by referring to input position data stored in the mainmemory 32 at the step S62. In other words, in the determinationprocessing at the step S63, the CPU 31 determines whether or not aninput of touching a region where the button image for performing theinstruction to perform photographing has been performed. When a resultof the determination at the step S63 is positive, processing at a stepS64 is executed. On the other hand, when the result of the determinationat the step S63 is negative, processing at a later-described step S65 isexecuted.

At the step S64, the CPU 31 executes simplified photographingprocessing. This simplified photographing processing is the same as theprocessing at the above step S10, and thus the detailed descriptionthereof will be omitted. Since the state of the information-processingapparatus 10 is shifted to the photographing enabled state by thesimplified photographing processing, the user can perform thephotographing operation. After the simplified photographing processingat the step S64 is terminated, the CPU 31 terminates the photographingleading processing shown in FIG. 15. It is noted that in the presentembodiment, since the processing at the step S64 is the same as theprocessing at the step S10, it is possible to launch the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53 during the simplified photographingprocessing at the step S64, similarly as at the step S10. However, in analternative embodiment, in the simplified photographing processing atthe step S64, the button image 78 for performing the second launchoperation may not be displayed such that it is impossible to launch themultifunctional photographing application program 53.

On the other hand, at the step S65, the CPU 31 displays an image forintroducing a photographing function. For example, the CPU 31 displaysan image for explaining functions regarding the simplified photographingprogram 52 and the multifunctional photographing application program 53,and the like on the LCDs 12 and 22. After the step S65, the CPU 31terminates the photographing leading processing shown in FIG. 15.

As described above, in the present embodiment, theinformation-processing apparatus 10 determines whether or not thestart-up of the information-processing apparatus 10 is for the firsttime (the step S1). When the information-processing apparatus 10 isstarted up for the first time (Yes at the step S1), theinformation-processing apparatus 10 performs a display for causing theuser to select whether or not to shift the state ofinformation-processing apparatus 10 to the photographing enabled state(the step S61). Then, when the user selects to perform photographing(Yes at the step S63), the information-processing apparatus 10 causesthe user to actually experience the photographing operation (the stepS64). Thus, the user can be led to initially experience thephotographing operation in the information-processing apparatus 10. Inother words, by the photographing leading processing, a user who usesthe information-processing apparatus 10 for the first time can be causedto initially perform the photographing operation to get used to thephotographing operation. Further, in the present embodiment, since theuser is caused to experience the simple photographing operation by theabove simplified photographing program 52 at the step S64, the user caneasily perform the photographing operation as compared with the casewhere the user is caused to initially experience the photographingoperation by the multifunctional photographing application program 53.Further, from the viewpoint of a manufacturer of theinformation-processing apparatus 10, the photographing function of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 can be comprehensively introduced tothe user by causing the user to initially experience the simplephotographing operation.

In the present embodiment, the user is caused to select whether or notto shift the state of the information-processing apparatus 10 to thephotographing enabled state at the step S61. However, in an alternativeembodiment, in the photographing leading processing, the state of theinformation-processing apparatus 10 may be shifted to the photographingenabled state without causing the user to make the selection. In otherwords, the photographing processing by the photographing program 52 or53 may be executed without causing the user to make the selection.

(Regarding Change of Display Image)

In the present embodiment, the information-processing apparatus 10changes content of the display image on the menu screen at apredetermined timing (automatically without an instruction from theuser). This produces change in the menu screen, and the user can beprevented from getting bored.

Further, in the present embodiment, the above predetermined timingincludes a timing of starting up the information-processing apparatus10, and a timing of terminating the selected application program. Morespecifically, as described above, when the information-processingapparatus 10 is started up, or when a selected application program isterminated, the display processing at the step S5 is executed after theprocessing at the step S3 is executed. Thus, the display image on themenu screen is changed. In other words, every time theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is started up, or every time aselected application program is executed, the display image is changed.According to this, the user has things to look forward to (about “whichimage is displayed”) at the start-up and at the time of terminating theexecution of the selected application program, and hence, from theviewpoint of the supplier of the information-processing apparatus 10,there arises an effect of prompting the user to startup theinformation-processing apparatus 10 and to execute a selectedapplication program (i.e. to use the information-processing apparatus10).

In addition, in the present embodiment, the predetermined timingincludes a timing of opening the foldable information-processingapparatus 10. In the present embodiment, since theinformation-processing apparatus 10 in the closed state is also in astate of a sleep mode, the above “timing of starting up theinformation-processing apparatus 10” includes a “timing of opening theinformation-processing apparatus 10 in the closed state (sleep mode)(restarting the information-processing apparatus 10 from the sleepmode). When the information-processing apparatus 10 is opened againafter the information-processing apparatus 10 in the opened state isclosed, the CPU 31 changes the display image between before and afterthe closing. Thus, the user has things to look forward to when openingthe information-processing apparatus 10, and hence, from the viewpointof the supplier of the information-processing apparatus 10, there arisesan effect of prompting the user to use the information-processingapparatus 10 by making the user open the information-processingapparatus 10. In the present embodiment, at the timing of opening theinformation-processing apparatus 10 in the closed state, the displayimage is not changed in a random manner, and is changed in accordancewith a predetermined order. With reference to FIG. 16, the followingwill describe a detail of processing of changing the display imageaccording to opening and closing.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a detail of processing (opening-closingtime processing) executed when the information-processing apparatus 10is closed and opened. The processing shown in FIG. 16 is started byclosing the information-processing apparatus 10 at any timing during theprocessing shown in FIG. 6.

In the opening-closing time processing, first, at a step S71, the CPU 31shifts the information-processing apparatus 10 to the sleep mode. Morespecifically, the CPU 31 stops an image display on each of the LCDs 12and 22, and temporarily stops processing in an application program beingexecuted. Subsequent to the step S71, processing at a step S72 isexecuted.

At the step S72, the CPU 31 determines whether or not theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is opened. When a result of thedetermination at the step S72 is positive, processing at a step S73 isexecuted. On the other hand, when the result of the determination at thestep S72 is negative, the processing at the step S72 is executed again.In other words, the CPU 31 waits until the information-processingapparatus 10 is opened.

At the step S73, the CPU 31 changes the display image in a state beforethe opening-closing time processing is started. At the step S73, thedisplay image is changed by sequentially selecting a display image amongthe favorite images in accordance with a predetermined order. Thefollowing will describe a method of changing the display image withreference to FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is a view showing the method of changing the display image atthe step S73. FIG. 17 shows a case where the first group includes threefavorite images, the second group includes two favorite images, and thethird group includes four favorite images. In the present embodiment,the favorite images included in each group are arranged in apredetermined order, and managed. The predetermined order may be anorder of time and date to be photographed (stored), an order of time anddate to be set as a favorite image, or an order set by the user. At thestep S73, a favorite image is sequentially changed in accordance withthis order. In other words, the CPU 31 sets a favorite image next to adisplay image before change (in the state before the opening-closingtime processing is started) as a display image after change. Further,when a display image before change is a final favorite image in a group,a first favorite image in a group next to the group is set as a displayimage after change. Further, when a display image before change is afinal favorite image in the third group, a first favorite image in thefirst group is set as a display image after change. As described above,at the step S73, the display image is changed in accordance with anorder indicated by arrows in FIG. 17. Subsequent to the step S73, theCPU 31 terminates the opening-closing time processing, and returns to astate immediately before the opening-closing time processing is started.

As described above, in the present embodiment, every time theinformation-processing apparatus 10 is opened, the display image ischanged in the predetermined order. Thus, the user can enjoy changingdisplay images one after another by an operation of opening and closingthe information-processing apparatus 10. For example, the user cancreate a four-panel cartoon of which a graphic (a display image) ischanged every time the information-processing apparatus 10 is opened,and can successionally view a series of photographs arranged inchronological order by repeatedly opening and closing theinformation-processing apparatus 10. It is noted that at this time, atthe above step S3, the CPU 31 may select a display image among a firstfavorite image in each group in a random manner. Thus, all imagesincluded in each group can be successionally displayed in apredetermined order.

In an alternative embodiment, the information-processing apparatus 10may change the display image in a predetermined order in accordance witha predetermined operation (e.g. an operation of pressing a predeterminedbutton). In other words, the above predetermined timing may be a timingof performing a predetermined operation.

Modified Example

In the above embodiment, predetermined information (data) is commonlyused in the simplified photographing program 52 and the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53. More specifically, the twoprograms 52 and 53 commonly use information of the camera for taking animage, and information of a storage destination of a stored image. In analternative embodiment, the two programs 52 and 53 may commonly useother information. For example, in the case where a file name of astored image is determined based on a total number of images taken bythe information-processing apparatus 10, information of the total numberof images may be commonly used.

Further, in an alternative embodiment, the information-processingapparatus 10 may cause content of an argument to be passed to themultifunctional photographing application program 53 to be differentbetween when the multifunctional photographing application program 53 islaunched in the photographing enabled state (the case of Yes at the stepS28) and when the multifunctional photographing application program 53is launched in the launch acceptance state (the case of Yes at the stepS11).

For example, information indicative of a mode at a time of startingexecuting the multifunctional photographing application program 53 maybe the above argument. In other words, the mode at the time of startingexecuting the multifunctional photographing application program 53 maybe different between when the multifunctional photographing applicationprogram 53 is launched in the photographing enabled state and when themultifunctional photographing application program 53 is launched in thelaunch acceptance state. More specifically, when the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53 is launched in the launchacceptance state, similarly as in the above embodiment, the mode at thetime of starting executing the multifunctional photographing applicationprogram 53 may be set to a mode for causing the user to select eitherthe photographing mode or the photograph display mode. When themultifunctional photographing application program 53 is launched in thephotographing enabled state, the mode at the time of starting executingthe multifunctional photographing application program 53 may be set tothe photographing mode. When the multifunctional photographingapplication program 53 is launched in the photographing enabled state,it can be assumed that the user launches the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53 for performing photographing with afunction which the simplified photographing program 52 does not have.Further, in an alternative embodiment, when the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53 is launched in the photographingenabled state, the mode at the time of starting executing themultifunctional photographing application program 53 maybe set to thephotograph display mode, and an image regarding a display image whichhas been displayed in the photographing enabled state (e.g. a favoriteimage in the same group as the display image, an image taken on the sameday as the display image, and the like) may be displayed.

Further, in the above embodiment, a button image for launching themultifunctional photographing application program 53 in thephotographing enabled state (the button image 78 shown in FIG. 9) isone. However, in alternative embodiment, two button images may bedisplayed. Here, one of the two button images is a button for launchingthe multifunctional photographing application program 53 with the modeat the time of starting executing the multifunctional photographingapplication program 53 being set to the photographing mode, and theother button image is a button for launching the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53 with the mode at the time ofstarting executing the multifunctional photographing application program53 being set to the photograph display mode. Thus, in an alternativeembodiment, the information-processing apparatus 10 may prepare aplurality of types of second launch operations, and the mode at the timeof start of execution (of the multifunctional photographing applicationprogram 53) may be different depending on a type of a second launchoperation being performed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the simplified photographing program52 is different from the launch function program 51, and launched by thelaunch program independently of the launch function program 51. Here, inan alternative embodiment, the simplified photographing program 52 maybe a part of the launch function program 51 (i.e. the launch functionprogram 51 and the simplified photographing program 52 may beincorporated into one program in the launch program 61). In analternative embodiment, the launch function program 51 may launch thesimplified photographing program 52. In other words, as long as aninstruction (an operation) for launching the simplified photographingprogram 52 is different from that for launching the multifunctionalphotographing application program 53, the simplified photographingprogram 52 and the multifunctional photographing application program 53may be launched by the same program or by different programs.

As described above, the present invention is usable, for example, as aninformation-processing apparatus which is capable of executing aplurality of programs, in order to use a photographing function by asimple operation.

While the invention has been described in detail, the foregoingdescription is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It isunderstood that numerous other modifications and variations can bedevised without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A computer-readable storage medium storing a launch program executedby a computer of an information-processing apparatus, which comprisesimaging means, which is capable of storing a plurality of applicationprograms, and which stores in advance a predetermined photographingapplication program for performing photographing by the imaging means asone of the plurality of application programs, for selectively launchingan application program desired by a user among the plurality ofapplication programs, the launch program causing the computer tofunction as: first launch operation acceptance means for accepting afirst launch operation for selectively launching the plurality ofapplication programs; first launch means for, when the first launchoperation is performed, launching an application program selected by thefirst launch operation among the plurality of application programs;photographing processing means for, in a predetermined photographingenabled state, executing photographing processing of storing a takenimage by the imaging means in storage means of theinformation-processing apparatus in accordance with a predeterminedphotographing operation; photographing enabling operation acceptancemeans for, in a launch acceptance state of accepting the first launchoperation, accepting a photographing enabling operation which is thesame as the photographing operation; and state setting means for, whenthe photographing enabling operation is detected, setting a state of theinformation-processing apparatus to the photographing enabled state. 2.The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the launch programfurther causes the computer to function as cancellation means for, inthe photographing enabled state, automatically canceling thephotographing enabled state in accordance with satisfaction of apredetermined condition.
 3. The storage medium according to claim 2,wherein the cancellation means automatically cancels the photographingenabled state in accordance with execution of the photographingprocessing a predetermined number of times in the photographing enabledstate.
 4. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein thecancellation means automatically cancels the photographing enabled statein accordance with a single execution of the photographing processing inthe photographing enabled state.
 5. The storage medium according toclaim 1, wherein the photographing operation and the photographingenabling operation each are a single operation with respect to apredetermined button, which is different from the first launchoperation.
 6. The launch program according to claim 5, wherein thepredetermined button is a button provided in the information-processingapparatus or a button displayed on a touch panel of theinformation-processing apparatus.
 7. The storage medium according toclaim 1, wherein the photographing processing means has only a part of aphotographing function which is executable by executing thephotographing application program.
 8. The storage medium according toclaim 1, wherein the launch program includes a launch function programfor launching the application program, and a photographing functionprogram for causing the computer to function as the photographingprocessing means, and the photographing function program has a data sizewhich is smaller than that of the photographing application program. 9.A computer-readable storage medium storing a launch program executed bya computer of an information-processing apparatus, which comprisesimaging means, which is capable of storing a plurality of applicationprograms, and which stores in advance a predetermined photographingapplication program for performing photographing by the imaging means asone of the plurality of application programs, for selectively launchingan application program desired by a user among the plurality ofapplication programs, the launch program causing the computer tofunction as: first launch operation acceptance means for accepting afirst launch operation for selectively launching the plurality ofapplication programs; first launch means for, when the first launchoperation is performed, launching an application program selected by thefirst launch operation among the plurality of application programs;photographing processing means for, in a predetermined photographingenabled state, executing photographing processing of storing a takenimage by the imaging means in storage means of theinformation-processing apparatus in accordance with a predeterminedphotographing operation; photographing enabling operation acceptancemeans for, in a launch acceptance state of accepting the first launchoperation, accepting a predetermined photographing enabling operation;state setting means for, when the photographing enabling operation isperformed, setting a state of the information-processing apparatus tothe photographing enabled state; and cancellation means for, in thephotographing enabled state, automatically canceling the photographingenabled state in accordance with satisfaction of a predeterminedcondition.
 10. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein thecancellation means automatically cancels the photographing enabled statein accordance with execution of the photographing processing apredetermined number of times in the photographing enabled state. 11.The storage medium according to claim 10, wherein the cancellation meansautomatically cancels the photographing enabled state in accordance witha single execution of the photographing processing in the photographingenabled state.
 12. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein thephotographing operation and the photographing enabling operation eachare a single operation with respect to a predetermined button, which isdifferent from the first launch operation.
 13. The launch programaccording to claim 12, wherein the predetermined button is a buttonprovided in the information-processing apparatus or a button displayedon a touch panel of the information-processing apparatus.
 14. Thestorage medium according to claim 9, wherein the photographingprocessing means has only a part of a photographing function which isexecutable by executing the photographing application program.
 15. Thestorage medium according to claim 9, wherein the launch program includesa launch function program for launching the application program, and aphotographing function program for causing the computer to function asthe photographing processing means, and the photographing functionprogram has a data size which is smaller than that of the photographingapplication program.
 16. A computer-readable storage medium storing alaunch program executed by a computer of an information-processingapparatus, which comprises imaging means, which is capable of storing aplurality of application programs, and which stores in advance apredetermined photographing application program for performingphotographing by the imaging means as one of the plurality ofapplication programs, for selectively launching an application programdesired by a user among the plurality of application programs, thelaunch program causing the computer to function as: first launchoperation acceptance means for accepting a first launch operation forselectively launching the plurality of application programs; firstlaunch means for, when the first launch operation is performed,launching an application program selected by the first launch operationamong the plurality of application programs; photographing processingmeans for executing photographing processing of storing a taken image bythe imaging means in storage means of the information-processingapparatus in accordance with a predetermined photographing operation;photographing enabling operation acceptance means for, in a launchacceptance state of accepting the first launch operation, accepting aphotographing enabling operation, which is different from the firstlaunch operation and is a single operation with respect to apredetermined button, for causing a photographing enabled state in whichthe photographing processing is executable by the photographingprocessing means in accordance with the photographing operation; andphotographing operation acceptance means for, when the photographingenabling operation is performed, setting a state of theinformation-processing apparatus to the photographing enabled state, andaccepting the photographing operation.
 17. The launch program accordingto claim 16, wherein the predetermined button is a button provided inthe information-processing apparatus or a button displayed on a touchpanel of the information-processing apparatus.
 18. The storage mediumaccording to claim 16, wherein the photographing processing means hasonly a part of a photographing function which is executable by executingthe photographing application program.
 19. The storage medium accordingto claim 16, wherein the launch program includes a launch functionprogram for launching the application program, and a photographingfunction program for causing the computer to function as thephotographing processing means, and the photographing function programhas a data size which is smaller than that of the photographingapplication program.
 20. An information-processing apparatus whichcomprises imaging means and is capable of storing a plurality ofapplication programs for selectively launching an application programdesired by a user among the plurality of application programs, apredetermined photographing application program for performingphotographing by the imaging means is stored in advance as one of theplurality of application programs in the information-processingapparatus, the information-processing apparatus comprising: first launchoperation acceptance means for accepting a first launch operation forselectively launching the plurality of application programs; firstlaunch means for, when the first launch operation is performed,launching an application program selected by the first launch operationamong the plurality of application programs; photographing processingmeans for, in a predetermined photographing enabled state, executingphotographing processing of storing a taken image by the imaging meansin storage means of the information-processing apparatus in accordancewith a predetermined photographing operation; photographing enablingoperation acceptance mans for, in a launch acceptance state of acceptingthe first launch operation, accepting a photographing enabling operationwhich is the same as the photographing operation; and state settingmeans for, when the photographing enabling operation is detected,setting a state of the information-processing apparatus to thephotographing enabled state.
 21. An information-processing apparatuswhich comprises imaging means and is capable of storing a plurality ofapplication programs for selectively launching an application programdesired by a user among the plurality of application programs, apredetermined photographing application program for performingphotographing by the imaging means is stored in advance as one of theplurality of application programs in the information-processingapparatus, the information-processing apparatus comprising: first launchoperation acceptance means for accepting a first launch operation forselectively launching the plurality of application programs; firstlaunch means for, when the first launch operation is performed,launching an application program selected by the first launch operationamong the plurality of application programs; photographing processingmeans for, in a predetermined photographing enabled state, executingphotographing processing of storing a taken image by the imaging meansin storage means of the information-processing apparatus in accordancewith a predetermined photographing operation; photographing enablingoperation acceptance means for, in a launch acceptance state ofaccepting the first launch operation, accepting a predeterminedphotographing enabling operation; state setting means for, when thephotographing enabling operation is detected, setting a state of theinformation-processing apparatus to the photographing enabled state; andcancellation means for, in the photographing enabled state,automatically canceling the photographing enabled state in accordancewith satisfaction of a predetermined condition.
 22. Aninformation-processing apparatus which comprises imaging means and iscapable of storing a plurality of application programs for selectivelylaunching an application program desired by a user among the pluralityof application programs, a predetermined photographing applicationprogram for performing photographing by the imaging means is stored inadvance as one of the plurality of application programs in theinformation-processing apparatus, the information-processing apparatuscomprising: a first launch operation acceptance means for accepting afirst launch operation for selectively launching the plurality ofapplication programs; first launch means for, when the first launchoperation is performed, launching an application program selected by thefirst launch operation among the plurality of application programs;photographing processing means for executing photographing processing ofstoring a taken image by the imaging means in storage means of theinformation-processing apparatus in accordance with a predeterminedphotographing operation; photographing enabling operation acceptancemeans for, in a launch acceptance state of accepting the first launchoperation, accepting a photographing enabling operation, which isdifferent from the first launch operation and is a single operation withrespect to a predetermined button, for causing a photographing enabledstate in which the photographing processing is executable by thephotographing processing means in accordance with the photographingoperation; and photographing operation acceptance means for, when thephotographing enabling operation is performed, setting a state of theinformation-processing apparatus to the photographing enabled state, andaccepting the photographing operation.